Students at James Madison University achieve exceptional long-term earnings that place the institution among the top public universities nationwide for financial outcomes.
Graduates consistently earn strong salaries across multiple fields, with particularly impressive results in technology and business programs that drive the university's top-tier performance.
Azimuth ranks James Madison University 32nd out of 326 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the top 10% for overall value. What distinguishes JMU is its exceptional ability to deliver strong long-term earnings outcomes while maintaining solid graduation rates and predictable costs. With a median 10-year earnings of $69,954, JMU graduates consistently outperform many peer institutions, ranking in the 90th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes.
The university serves a moderately selective student population, with about 17% of students receiving Pell Grants and 21% being first-generation college students. Despite this more selective profile, JMU maintains strong completion rates, with 81% of students graduating within six years and Pell recipients achieving similar success rates. The institution's strength lies in its ability to channel students into high-return career paths, particularly in technology, business, and professional fields.
As a large public university in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, JMU combines the resources of a comprehensive research institution with a focus on undergraduate success. The university's strong earnings outcomes, coupled with manageable debt levels and solid graduation rates, make it an attractive option for families seeking reliable return on investment from their higher education investment.
James Madison University's program portfolio demonstrates clear differentiation in earnings outcomes, with technology and business fields leading the way in financial returns. Artificial Intelligence, though a smaller program with 116 graduates, delivers the highest median earnings at $72,659, reflecting the strong demand for technical skills in today's economy. This represents the type of high-return, specialized program that drives JMU's overall strong earnings performance.
The university's largest programs show more varied outcomes. Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling enrolls 469 students annually with median earnings of $31,382, representing a substantial portion of JMU's graduates entering helping professions and social services. While these earnings are more moderate, they reflect meaningful career preparation in fields that provide social value and job security. At the other end of the spectrum, Acting majors with 55 graduates earn around $21,234, typical for creative fields where financial outcomes vary widely based on individual success and market conditions.
What distinguishes JMU is how even programs with moderate earnings contribute to the university's overall strong financial outcomes. The institution's comprehensive career services, employer connections, and academic preparation help students across all fields maximize their earning potential, whether they're entering high-paying technology careers or pursuing more service-oriented professions. This broad-based strength explains why JMU ranks in the top 10% nationally for graduate earnings despite serving students across diverse academic interests.
James Madison University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $69,954 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 90th percentile nationally. This performance reflects JMU's ability to prepare students for well-paying careers across multiple fields, with over 4,600 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually. The university's loan repayment rate of 91% demonstrates that graduates generally earn enough to service their educational debt successfully.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly, with technology and business fields leading the way. Artificial Intelligence graduates earn a median of $72,659 early in their careers, representing some of the highest returns among JMU's offerings. The university's largest program by enrollment, Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling with 469 graduates, shows more moderate earnings at $31,382, while Acting majors earn around $21,234. This range reflects JMU's comprehensive program portfolio, though the institution's overall strong earnings suggest that even moderate-earning fields benefit from the university's career preparation and employer connections.
The breadth of high-return programs supports JMU's consistently strong financial outcomes. Students in technology, business, and professional fields typically see rapid earnings growth in the early career years, contributing to the university's top-tier performance in long-term return on investment metrics.
James Madison University offers predictable and manageable pricing across income levels, though costs increase substantially for higher-income families. Low-income students pay approximately $10,582 annually after aid, which is reasonable for a quality public university, while middle-income families face net costs around $17,150 per year. High-income families see significantly higher net prices at $28,869, reflecting the university's limited need-based aid for families with greater financial resources.
Debt levels at JMU are moderate and generally sustainable given graduate earnings outcomes. Typical federal student loan debt is $20,093, well within manageable ranges for graduates earning nearly $70,000 ten years out. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $32,402, which is higher than many public institutions but reflects families' willingness to invest in JMU's strong outcomes. The university's zero percent federal loan default rate indicates that graduates consistently earn enough to meet their repayment obligations.
What makes JMU's pricing structure work for many families is the strong correlation between costs and outcomes. While net prices are not the lowest among Virginia public universities, the institution's exceptional earnings performance and 91% loan repayment rate suggest that graduates can comfortably handle the debt they incur. The university's affordability story centers on value rather than low sticker prices, making it particularly attractive to families who can manage moderate upfront costs in exchange for strong long-term financial returns.
James Madison University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
