James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia · Public · 71.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 84/100 · Strong Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
James Madison University scores 84 (Strong Value), a well-earned result for a mid-size Virginia public university. The 79.7% completion rate, 6.7-year payback, and $46,100 average 6-year earnings compose a solid package at a $14,250 in-state tuition. JMU's program mix is dominated by high-volume business and health science programs with consistently B+ ROI grades. The school's repayment rate of 87.1% at 3 years and 91.1% at 7 years indicate that graduates manage debt well. JMU is a legitimate strong value for Virginia residents; out-of-state students face a steeper financial case at $31,604 tuition.
James Madison University scores in the top 10% of the schools we score, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
James Madison University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $14,250/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $31,604/yr |
| Average net price | $23,322/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $93,288 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $69,954 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $46,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,093 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $213 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 79.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 20,888 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $14,250/year ($31,604/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $23,322/year, or roughly $93,288 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $11,444/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,147/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $20,093, which works out to about $213 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($46,100) and comes to 0.44, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,444 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,977 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,475 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,343 |
| $110,001+ | $30,147 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income Virginia families (0-$30,000) pay $11,444 per year at JMU - $45,776 over four years. Against $46,100 average 6-year earnings and a 6.7-year payback, the ROI for completers is solid. Pell grant recipients who complete at JMU - and JMU's 79.7% completion rate means most do - exit with manageable debt at median debt of $20,093. The low-income case at JMU is genuinely strong for program-ready in-state students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $16,475 per year and the $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $22,343. Middle-income Virginia families in the lower band pay about $65,900 over four years. The 6.7-year payback holds for both bands for students completing in health or tech programs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
High-income families ($110,000+) pay $30,147 per year - $120,588 over four years. Out-of-state students from high-income families paying $31,604 tuition face a much weaker financial case, as net price for this bracket approaches $120k-$130k over four years against $46,100 average earnings.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at James Madison University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $67,033 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $66,436 | C+ |
| Psychology | $56,212 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $87,056 | B+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $63,065 | C |
| Biology | $62,914 | C |
| Marketing | $89,944 | B+ |
| Information Science | $113,345 | B+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,026 | C+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $104,806 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is JMU's highest-volume health program at 286 graduates and delivers strong earnings: $76,490 at year one and $87,056 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.279 earns a B+ grade. At a $21,347 median debt load, nursing graduates at JMU carry well-calibrated debt relative to their earnings.
Information Science
Information Science (149 graduates) is JMU's highest-earning tech program: $80,173 at year one and $113,345 at year four with a B+ debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.262. The 4-year trajectory to $113k reflects strong placement into Northern Virginia's tech corridor, federal contractor market, and DC-area employers. IS graduates from JMU compete well in this market, and the $21,025 median debt load is low relative to earnings trajectory. This is one of JMU's best ROI programs by volume and outcome.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences (136 graduates) earns $81,761 at year one and $104,806 at year four, with a B+ debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.263. Closely related to IS but distinct in curriculum, CS graduates from JMU enter the same Northern Virginia/DC tech market. The two programs together represent JMU's most consistent high-earning pipeline, and both carry below-average debt loads relative to their earnings. JMU's CS program benefits from proximity to Dulles tech and federal contracting clusters.
Communication and Media Studies
Communication and Media Studies is JMU's largest single program at 413 graduates and earns $42,769 at year one and $66,436 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.503 earns a C+ grade. The gap between year-one and year-four earnings reflects career progression in media, PR, and communications roles - the field rewards experience more than entry-level placement. At JMU's in-state net price, the 4-year trajectory makes this manageable; out-of-state students face a harder payback case.
Marketing
Marketing (170 graduates) earns $61,692 at year one and $89,944 at year four, with a B+ debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.341 and $21,040 median debt. This is a strong outcome for a marketing program and reflects JMU's College of Business pipeline into Northern Virginia and DC-area employers. For in-state students, this program produces genuinely strong ROI.
Psychology
Psychology is JMU's largest non-Communication program by volume at 330 graduates and earns $31,734 at year one and $56,212 at year four - a D-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.725. The year-one figure of $31,734 against $23,000 median debt reflects a field where most bachelor's-level graduates take entry-level human services, research assistant, or administrative roles before moving up. Students targeting graduate school in clinical or counseling psychology face an additional 3-7 years of deferred earnings. This is the weaker end of JMU's program mix.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 84.9% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 87.1% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 88.1% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 91.1% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How James Madison University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 71.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 570-660 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-680 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-29 |
| Enrollment | 20,888 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 17.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,916 |
JMU's 71.5% admission rate places it in the moderately selective tier of Virginia public universities. SAT 570-660 Math and 600-680 Reading describe a solidly prepared incoming class. ACT 24-29 is the parallel range. JMU has been test-optional in recent years, but submitting competitive scores remains advantageous.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
JMU's completion rate is 79.7%.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison University (this school) | 84 | $23,322 | $69,954 |
| William & Mary | 91 | $19,096 | $73,490 |
| University of Delaware | 86 | $17,799 | $72,950 |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | 84 | $18,267 | $68,227 |
| University at Buffalo | 83 | $20,995 | $70,814 |
| Christopher Newport University | 64 | $23,015 | $60,509 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See James Madison University side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
JMU admits 71.5% of applicants, with SAT mid-ranges of 570-660 Math and 600-680 Reading, and ACT composite 24-29. The school enrolls 20,888 students. With only 17.1% Pell grant recipients, JMU serves a predominantly middle- and upper-income Virginia population. Students interested in healthcare (nursing, communication disorders), business, IT, and health administration will find some of the best ROI outcomes here. Students entering arts, performance, or humanities should expect slower payback - biology graduates average only $34,159 at year one, and theatre graduates earn $24,306.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
For most students, James Madison University pays off. You'd pay about $23,322 a year after aid ($93,288 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $69,954 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback - the time it takes for the earnings bump to cover what you spent - at roughly 6.7 years, a solid return.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 79.7% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $20,093 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $46,100 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
James Madison University: Common Questions
Is James Madison University worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students James Madison University pays off. It scores 84/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $23,322 a year after aid ($93,288 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $69,954 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 6.7 years to earn back.
How much does James Madison University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $23,322 a year, or roughly $93,288 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do James Madison University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $69,954 ten years after enrolling, roughly $28,154 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off James Madison University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 6.7 years for James Madison University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do James Madison University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $20,093, against average earnings of $46,100 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at James Madison University?
The six-year graduation rate is 79.7%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.