James Madison University vs William & Mary
Torn between these two? Here's how they stack up on what actually matters - what you'll pay, what graduates earn, and which one gives you the better return - all on U.S. Department of Education data.
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
On the numbers, William & Mary comes out ahead: 91/100 to 84/100, a 7-point edge over James Madison University. That gap comes from real differences in what each one costs, what its graduates earn, and the debt they leave with.
Start with what you'd actually pay. After aid, William & Mary runs $19,096 a year against $23,322 at James Madison University - $4,226 more a year, or about $16,904 across four years.
Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, William & Mary graduates earn a median $73,490 against $69,954 at James Madison University. The cost earns itself back in 6.7 years at James Madison University and 5.6 years at William & Mary.
Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave William & Mary owing a median $18,500 versus $20,093 at James Madison University. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.44 and 0.39 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | James Madison University | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,250 | $25,914 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $31,604 | $51,038 |
| Net Price (avg) | $23,322 | $19,096 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $93,288 | $76,384 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,100 | $47,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $69,954 | $73,490 |
| Graduation Rate | 79.7% | 89.4% |
| Payback Period | 6.7 yr | 5.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,093 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $213 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44 | 0.39 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 87.1% | 86.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 88.1% | 88.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 71.5% | 34.1% |
| Enrollment | 20,888 | 7,055 |
| SAT Range | 1170-1340 | 1400-1530 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | James Madison Univer... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $11,444 | $3,106 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,977 | $881 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $16,475 | $5,916 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $22,343 | $16,803 |
| $110,001+ | $30,147 | $34,370 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | James Madison Univer... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $85,137 | $111,366 |
| Economics | $86,681 | $105,467 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $68,798 | $91,065 |
| Sociology | $48,774 | $87,655 |
| Mathematics | $75,295 | $87,170 |
| Chemistry | $74,631 | $78,270 |
| International Relations | $73,326 | $72,173 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $63,065 | $68,992 |
| History | $55,782 | $63,632 |
| Biology | $62,914 | $49,644 |
| Psychology | $56,212 | $59,226 |
| English Language and Literature | $57,487 | $57,616 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $54,093 | $29,752 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | James Madison Univer... | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 79 | 90 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 85 | 91 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 83 | 88 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 89 | 96 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 90 | 90 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 91 |
The Verdict
William & Mary has the clearly stronger ROI here (91 vs 84) - graduates earn more for what they paid, and the return is somewhat better. That said, if James Madison University is the stronger school for your intended major, that can outweigh the gap for you specifically.
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James Madison University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
William & Mary
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.