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Business Administrationat James Madison University

Graduates earn $65,931/yr in their first year — about 41.0% above the national Business Administration average. Base-case 10-year earnings $652K; scenarios range from $578K to $666K depending on AI disruption.

Harrisonburg, VA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
78 STRONG
78
Optimistic
72
Pessimistic
Earnings
$65,931
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$652K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at James Madison University

The strong financial outcomes for JMU Business Administration graduates are a testament to the program's robust regional reputation and dedicated career development resources. You'll find that employers, particularly across the Mid-Atlantic, actively recruit from JMU due to its practical curriculum and a powerful alumni network that frequently opens doors in finance, government contracting, and general management.

This program excels at preparing students for leadership roles early in their careers, not just entry-level positions. Many graduates quickly ascend into management, leveraging skills in strategic planning, project oversight, and team leadership. While some operational tasks face AI disruption, your success will hinge on developing the critical thinking and people management skills that are irreplaceable, ensuring you're positioned for the higher-level roles listed. Focus on building strong professional relationships and seeking out internships that offer real management exposure.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$578K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple10.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$652K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple12.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$666K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple12.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to James Madison University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Business Administration graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Chief executives
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 22,200 openings/yr
$206,420/yr
High
2
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
3
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
4
Financial managers
+14.8% 10-yr growth · 74,600 openings/yr
$161,700/yr
High
5
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
6
Compensation and benefits managers
+0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$140,360/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Business Administration

How James Madison University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Manhattan College
NY · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$114K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Top score
Bismarck State College
ND · Public
89
DW Score
$101K
1-yr earn
61.8x
ROI
Maine Maritime Academy
ME · Public
73
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$96K
1-yr earn
5.2x
ROI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
86
DW Score
$94K
1-yr earn
19.4x
ROI
Also at James Madison University

Other top programs at James Madison University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at James Madison University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Business Administration offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Business Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Business Administration at James Madison University

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.