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Business Administration at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $65,931/yr (41% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #41 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business Administration graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$666K	$652K	$578K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.3x	12.0x	10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.4x	5.3x	4.7x
Probability of Field Employment	47%	43%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	78	78	72

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$54,304

Out-of-state: $123,160 (5.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$87,264

-61% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,000

3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$82,511

25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $65,931 per year, Business Administration graduates from James Madison University significantly outpace the $46,892 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 12.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $19,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

James Madison University ranks #41 among 1,169 Business Administration programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 25% earnings increase from $65,931 to $82,511 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About James Madison University

With 76% of applicants admitted, James Madison University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 20,497 in Harrisonburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at James Madison University →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

View all 42 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at James Madison University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 78/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at James Madison University?

At 78/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at James Madison University?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is James Madison University one of the best schools for Business Administration?

Among 1,169 Business Administration programs, James Madison University's #41 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →