Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at James Madison University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 29% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 75th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (VA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at James Madison University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies | $80,173 | $113,345 | +33% | #5 of 148 | #11 | $19,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $67,849 | $104,926 | +26% | #33 of 452 | #70 | $19,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $81,761 | $104,806 | +13% | #94 of 459 | #168 | $19,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $71,563 | $98,767 | +30% | #58 of 796 | #127 | $22,500 |
| Engineering | $71,176 | $91,761 | +3% | #19 of 57 | #45 | $24,750 |
| International Business | — | $91,141 | +25% | #16 of 115 | #30 | $16,250 |
| Systems Science and Theory | $65,683 | $91,034 | +3% | #2 of 6 | #2 | $21,500 |
| Marketing | $61,692 | $89,944 | +30% | #23 of 516 | #66 | $19,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $76,490 | $87,056 | -2% | #473 of 966 | #859 | $19,350 |
| Economics | $62,286 | $86,681 | +5% | #130 of 368 | #181 | $17,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $65,931 | $85,137 | +25% | #79 of 1176 | #177 | $19,000 |
| Science, Technology and Society | $54,235 | $82,455 | +22% | #5 of 10 | #6 | $22,784 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $53,913 | $77,393 | +32% | #30 of 275 | #60 | $19,500 |
| Mathematics | $58,810 | $75,295 | +8% | #115 of 309 | #168 | $20,500 |
| Chemistry | $45,799 | $74,631 | +15% | #42 of 209 | #83 | $23,750 |
| Political Science and Government | $42,128 | $73,326 | +16% | #88 of 565 | #161 | $19,286 |
| Public Administration | $48,396 | $71,626 | +10% | #10 of 47 | #20 | $18,250 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $44,667 | $68,798 | +3% | #46 of 118 | #69 | $18,138 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $33,971 | $67,033 | +29% | #2 of 50 | #10 | $20,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $42,769 | $66,436 | +18% | #81 of 660 | #146 | $20,500 |
| Biotechnology | $41,832 | $65,893 | -2% | #12 of 13 | #12 | $21,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | $65,770 | +12% | #34 of 215 | #117 | $19,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $46,915 | $65,016 | +15% | #22 of 137 | #54 | $19,875 |
| Geography and Cartography | $45,094 | $63,768 | +10% | #35 of 117 | #67 | $19,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,955 | $63,065 | +16% | #82 of 610 | #219 | $19,500 |
| Biology | $34,159 | $62,914 | +10% | #250 of 841 | #455 | $20,594 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $45,122 | $62,366 | +25% | #12 of 90 | #25 | $18,879 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | $40,966 | $61,496 | -2% | — | — | $25,000 |
| Anthropology | $30,686 | $60,841 | +30% | #11 of 188 | #23 | $20,500 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies | $28,712 | $59,604 | +29% | — | — | $21,250 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $24,860 | $59,501 | +8% | #14 of 50 | #32 | $16,375 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $49,408 | $58,026 | +9% | #138 of 476 | #249 | $21,000 |
| English Language and Literature | $26,049 | $57,487 | +18% | #95 of 576 | #152 | $21,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | — | $57,179 | +18% | #34 of 137 | #56 | $21,891 |
| Psychology | $31,734 | $56,212 | +11% | #201 of 1027 | #447 | $21,500 |
| History | $29,000 | $55,782 | +10% | #119 of 459 | #232 | $20,018 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $33,501 | $54,093 | +31% | #24 of 423 | #58 | $22,125 |
| Social Work | $31,687 | $52,991 | +2% | #177 of 420 | #364 | $17,990 |
| Music | $36,106 | $51,882 | +21% | #48 of 268 | #95 | $20,968 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $48,118 | $51,500 | -14% | #123 of 138 | #135 | $21,500 |
| Sociology | $31,513 | $48,774 | -7% | #319 of 462 | #410 | $17,946 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,306 | $45,225 | +14% | #45 of 255 | #105 | $19,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The James Madison University Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 22802 (4.0% cap, Harrisonburg)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
🏆 Where James Madison University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,914 | $25,128 |
| Room | $6,010 | |
| Board | $6,494 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $31,974 | $49,188 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,582 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,172 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,150 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,171 |
| $110,001+ | $28,869 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from James Madison University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at James Madison University?
How much does it cost to attend James Madison University?
What is the graduation rate at James Madison University?
Is James Madison University a good school?
- Outcomes (A): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (D): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend James Madison University?
Is there rental demand near James Madison University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for James Madison University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to James Madison University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology