Solid graduate outcomes with earnings above the peer average.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Earnings growth at James Madison University demonstrates steady career advancement over time. Median earnings begin at $57,438 six years after enrollment, rise to $64,070 at eight years, and reach $69,954 at the ten-year mark.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings exceed the peer average, indicating above-typical outcomes for this institution type.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $20,093 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
Student borrowing at James Madison University remains manageable relative to earning potential, with median debt of $20,093 upon graduation. Debt levels span from $7,500 at the 25th percentile to $26,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating that most students graduate with moderate debt loads.
James Madison University delivers above-average return on educational investment through strong absolute earnings that compensate for modest value-added performance. Return performance ranks at the 73.9th percentile, reflecting solid outcomes relative to educational costs and debt levels.
Approximately 23.8% of JMU graduates continue to graduate or professional school, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry a...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
High-earning programs at James Madison University concentrate in technology and specialized business applications, driving the institution's strong return performance. Information Science graduates earning $97,364 and Artificial Intelligence graduates earning $96,181 represent the peak earning potential, while Banking and Financial Services produces $94,451 median earnings.
These technical and finance-focused programs contrast with traditional liberal arts and social sciences that typically produce $45,000-$55,000 earnings, creating the earnings distribution that reflects diverse student career goals. Health programs like Digital Marketing ($72,730) and Clinical Research Coordination ($63,346) occupy the middle tier, providing solid professional outcomes without the premium earnings of technology fields.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings variation at JMU reflects the institution's diverse program mix and career preparation across multiple fields. The distribution spans from $48,802 at the 25th percentile to $100,257 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.1:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles.
