James Madison University combines accessible admission with excellent economic mobility outcomes, ranking in the 93.4th percentile nationally. As a Selective Achievers institution, JMU delivers strong absolute earnings while maintaining open access admission standards and supporting diverse career pathways across health sciences, business, and technology fields.
With above-average results, driven by strong absolute earnings levels despite modest value-added performance
Around the national average, reflecting typical cost and debt levels for public institutions
With above-average performance, indicating moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to peer institutions
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for its graduates
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisJames Madison University demonstrates strong earning potential relative to educational investment, though earnings fall below expectations based on student demographics. Graduates earn a median of $69,954 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 86th percentile nationally and exceeding the peer median of $60,543 by $9,411 annually.
However, JMU produces earnings that are $11,005 below expectations relative to similar students, placing it in the 13th percentile for earnings uplift. Earnings range from $48,802 at the 25th percentile to $100,257 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across the university's diverse program portfolio.
Students seeking strong career outcomes at a large public university with accessible admission. Well-suited for those prioritizing practical programs like Health Sciences, Business, and Information Systems, with solid earning potential and manageable debt levels despite modest selectivity.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the James Madison University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/james-madison-university/analysis.
Excellent mobility with strong career outcomes
James Madison University ranks #218 nationally with mobility performance at the 93.4th percentile, demonstrating excellent upward economic mobility outcomes. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, this large public university maintains open access admission with a 76.2% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation earnings.
JMU enrolls 16.8% Pell-eligible students and 20.8% first-generation students, reflecting moderate access levels relative to its public status. Students demonstrate exceptional academic preparation with SAT scores ranging from 1170-1320, placing JMU at the 96th percentile nationally for test score performance.
This combination of accessible admission, strong academic preparation, and excellent mobility outcomes places James Madison University within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering strong economic returns. The university maintains above-average performance across three of four institutional pillars, with particularly strong mobility and access results supporting sustained career advancement for graduates.
James Madison University admits 76.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places JMU in the Open Access category for admission selectivity, indicating that most qualified students who apply can expect to gain admission.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that JMU's acceptance rate aligns closely with similar public institutions, being just 1.8 percentage points more selective than typical peers. This level of accessibility means that students with solid academic preparation—particularly those meeting JMU's elevated test score standards—face favorable admission odds.
The combination of open access admission with high academic standards creates an environment where qualified students can expect admission while still encountering rigorous academic expectations once enrolled. For prospective students, this suggests that meeting JMU's academic profile benchmarks essentially positions them for successful admission.
Students should focus their application strategy on demonstrating academic readiness rather than treating JMU as highly competitive. However, popular programs may have additional requirements or competitive internal admission processes that differ from general university admission.
Applicants should research specific program requirements and understand that general admission does not guarantee placement in all majors, particularly those with capacity limitations or professional preparation requirements.
Information Science/Studies.
168 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
116 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
163 graduates
Applied Economics.
61 graduates
Systems Science and Theory.
53 graduates
James Madison University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Information Science stands out with a #3 national ranking and #1 state ranking, producing 168 graduates with median earnings of $97,364 and an exceptional value score of 96.0.
Clinical Pastoral Counseling ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Virginia, graduating 469 students with median earnings of $56,488. Digital Marketing ranks #19 nationally and #1 in Virginia, with 174 graduates earning $72,730.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology performs strongly at #20 nationally and #2 in Virginia, graduating 252 students with median earnings of $56,742. Banking and Financial Support Services holds the #32 national ranking and #1 state position, producing 163 graduates with median earnings of $94,451.
The university shows particular strength in health-related fields, business applications, and information sciences, with multiple programs achieving top state rankings and several earning national recognition for value and outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
James Madison University's published cost of attendance reaches $30,213 annually, including $30,790 in out-of-state tuition (or $13,576 for Virginia residents), $12,584 for room and board, and $1,254 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid.
The average net price across all income levels is $21,816, representing financial aid savings of $8,397 from the sticker price. Compared to peer institutions, JMU's net price runs $6,226 higher than the peer median of $15,590, indicating above-average costs for a public university in this category.
This cost premium reflects JMU's strong academic reputation and comprehensive student services, though it places the institution in a higher cost tier than many comparable public universities. The cost structure varies dramatically by family income, with the lowest-income students paying significantly less than those from higher-income families.
Net price ranges from $10,582 for families earning under $30,000 annually to $28,869 for those earning over $110,000, demonstrating a progressive financial aid structure that concentrates support toward lower-income families while expecting higher contributions from more affluent families.
James Madison University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth and strong absolute income levels over time. Median earnings rise from $57,438 six years after enrollment to $64,070 at eight years and $69,954 at ten years, representing 21.8% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 3,698 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Earnings span from $48,802 at the 25th percentile to $100,257 at the 75th percentile, indicating meaningful variation across programs and career trajectories.
Low-income graduates earn $60,200, demonstrating solid outcomes for students from more modest economic backgrounds. The university produces earnings that fall $11,005 below expectations relative to similar student populations, placing JMU at the 13th percentile for earnings beyond expectations.
Approximately 23.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. Compared to peer institutions, JMU graduates earn $9,411 more annually than the peer median of $60,543, reflecting the institution's ability to deliver competitive market outcomes despite the modest value-added performance.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Nevada-Reno Similar quality tier (#215 ranked) | NV | 85% | $60,614 | #215 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Tyler Similar quality tier (#213 ranked) | TX | 92% | $57,053 | #213 | Compare |
University Of South Carolina-Columbia Similar quality tier in Southeast (#220 ranked) | SC | 61% | $62,177 | #220 | Compare |
Florida Gulf Coast University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#210 ranked) | FL | 77% | $54,560 | #210 | Compare |
Prairie View A & M University Similar quality tier (#221 ranked) | TX | 75% | $45,411 | #221 | Compare |