James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA jmu.edu 20,497 students

James Madison University's campus is nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, offering views of the nearby Massanutten Mountain. Students enjoy a spirited and engaged atmosphere with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education and community involvement. JMU is known for its passionate student body and school pride, fostered by traditions like the "Purple Out" at sporting events. The university's location in Harrisonburg provides access to both outdoor recreation and a vibrant college town environment.

Programs

Analyzed in dataset

Earnings

$47,308

Average graduate, 1 yr after

Outlook

55/100

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

Tuition

$13,576

In-state sticker price

Out-of-state: $30,790/yr

Financial Aid

The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. James Madison University's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 17% of students receive Pell Grants; 30% take federal loans.

Net Price by Family Income

Academic Year 2025

Income Bracket	Avg Net Price	4-Year Net Cost
$0 – $30K	$10,582	$42,328
$30K – $48K	$12,172	$48,688
$48K – $75K	$17,150	$68,600
$75K – $110K	$23,171	$92,684
$110K+	$28,869	$115,476
Sticker price (no aid)	$13,576	$54,304

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships, by reported family-income bracket. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

Programs at James Madison University

39 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Degree Program	DW Score	1-yr Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Information Sciences Computer and Information Sciences, General Compare across schools →	88	$81,761/yr	Very High	19.2x
Finance Finance and Financial Management Services Compare across schools →	86	$67,849/yr	Very High	19.9x
Information Science Information Science/Studies Compare across schools →	85	$80,173/yr	Very High	19.5x
Nursing Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Compare across schools →	83	$76,490/yr	High	13.7x
Accounting Accounting and Related Services Compare across schools →	83	$71,563/yr	Very High	15.3x
Economics Compare across schools →	79	$62,286/yr	Very High	16.8x
Business Administration Business Administration, Management and Operations Compare across schools →	78	$65,931/yr	High	14.2x
Systems Science and Theory Compare across schools →	74	$65,683/yr	Moderate	17.7x
Health and Medical Administrative Services Compare across schools →	74	$53,913/yr	High	12.8x
Marketing Compare across schools →	72	$61,692/yr	Very High	14.8x
Mathematics Compare across schools →	69	$58,810/yr	Very High	14.3x
Public Policy Public Administration Compare across schools →	69	$48,396/yr	High	11.8x
Engineering Engineering, General Compare across schools →	67	$71,176/yr	High	15.2x
Hospitality Management Hospitality Administration/Management Compare across schools →	62	$46,915/yr	High	11.0x
Science, Technology and Society Compare across schools →	59	$54,235/yr	Moderate	13.9x
Political Science Political Science and Government Compare across schools →	59	$42,128/yr	Very High	11.6x
International Relations International Relations and National Security Studies Compare across schools →	56	$44,667/yr	High	11.3x
Geography and Cartography Compare across schools →	54	$45,094/yr	High	10.2x
Chemistry Compare across schools →	51	$45,799/yr	High	7.4x
Linguistics Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Compare across schools →	51	$45,122/yr	Very High	10.6x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools →	51	$42,769/yr	High	11.2x
Health & Physical Education Health and Physical Education/Fitness Compare across schools →	51	$35,955/yr	Moderate	11.0x
Mental Health Services Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Compare across schools →	51	$33,971/yr	Moderate	11.4x
Geosciences Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Compare across schools →	48	$48,118/yr	High	9.5x
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Compare across schools →	45	$40,966/yr	High	10.2x
Liberal Arts & Humanities Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Compare across schools →	44	$49,408/yr	Low	8.9x
Biology Biology, General Compare across schools →	44	$34,159/yr	High	10.2x
Nutrition & Food Science Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services Compare across schools →	43	$24,860/yr	High	10.0x
History Compare across schools →	42	$29,000/yr	High	9.6x
Psychology Psychology, General Compare across schools →	41	$31,734/yr	High	9.5x
Sociology Compare across schools →	40	$31,513/yr	High	9.4x
Fine Arts Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools →	39	$33,501/yr	Moderate	8.3x
Anthropology Compare across schools →	39	$30,686/yr	High	9.0x
Biotechnology Compare across schools →	37	$41,832/yr	High	6.7x
Music Compare across schools →	37	$36,106/yr	High	7.4x
Social Work Compare across schools →	37	$31,687/yr	Moderate	9.0x
English English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools →	28	$26,049/yr	Very High	8.0x
Philosophy & Religion Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other Compare across schools →	22	$28,712/yr	Very High	4.3x
Theater & Drama Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools →	22	$24,306/yr	Moderate	4.6x