The University of Texas at Dallas vs James Madison University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
The University of Texas at Dallas and James Madison University are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas at Dallas scores 84/100 while James Madison University scores 84/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, The University of Texas at Dallas comes in at $18,267 per year (net price after aid) versus $23,322 at James Madison University - a difference of $5,055 annually, or roughly $20,220 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, James Madison University graduates earn a median of $69,954 compared to $68,227 at The University of Texas at Dallas. The payback period is 6.4 years at The University of Texas at Dallas versus 6.7 years at James Madison University.
Graduates leave The University of Texas at Dallas with a median $18,000 in debt versus $20,093 at James Madison University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 and 0.44 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas a... | James Madison University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,644 | $14,250 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,144 | $31,604 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,267 | $23,322 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $73,068 | $93,288 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,800 | $46,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $68,227 | $69,954 |
| Graduation Rate | 75.7% | 79.7% |
| Payback Period | 6.4 yr | 6.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,000 | $20,093 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $213 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.38 | 0.44 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 73.6% | 87.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 70.8% | 88.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 65.1% | 71.5% |
| Enrollment | 21,751 | 20,888 |
| SAT Range | 1160-1410 | 1170-1340 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | James Madison Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,814 | $11,444 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,510 | $12,977 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $14,030 | $16,475 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,892 | $22,343 |
| $110,001+ | $26,596 | $30,147 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | James Madison Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management | $86,484 | $104,926 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $103,603 | $104,806 |
| Accounting | $82,629 | $98,767 |
| International Business | $69,370 | $91,141 |
| Marketing | $73,732 | $89,944 |
| Economics | $75,479 | $86,681 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $60,602 | $77,393 |
| Mathematics | $69,383 | $75,295 |
| Chemistry | $63,472 | $74,631 |
| International Relations | $65,869 | $73,326 |
| Public Administration | $55,467 | $71,626 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $49,834 | $65,770 |
| Biology | $58,540 | $62,914 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $54,985 | $62,366 |
| History | $61,321 | $55,782 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | James Madison Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 87 | 79 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 87 | 85 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 89 | 83 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 86 | 89 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 50 | 90 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 84 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. The University of Texas at Dallas edges out James Madison University by 0 points (84 vs 84), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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The University of Texas at Dallas
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
James Madison University
Strong 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.