Home › James Madison University › Linguistic & Comparative

Linguistic & Comparative at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,122/yr (62% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 79 Linguistic & Comparative programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Linguistic & Comparative graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $570K $561K $510K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.5x 10.3x 9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.6x 4.6x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 42

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 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,264
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,879
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,734
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of James Madison University's Linguistic & Comparative program earn $45,122/yr in their first year — 62% above the $27,797 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Linguistic & Comparative programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Linguistic & Comparative's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,879 in median debt against $45,122 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #2 of 79 nationally, this is a top-5% Linguistic & Comparative program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $45,122 to $62,734 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About James Madison University

James Madison University has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 20,497 students in Harrisonburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at James Madison University →

Top Career Paths

Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary $77,010/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 79 schools offering Linguistic & Comparative →

Linguistic & Comparative at Other Schools

Virginia Military Institute ($43,923) George Mason University ($40,105) Stephen F Austin State University ($38,375) Northern Arizona University ($38,177) University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ($37,859) Ashford University ($37,853) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($37,389) Western Illinois University ($37,155)

Other Majors at James Madison University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($81,761) Information Science/Studies ($80,173) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($76,490) Accounting and Related Services ($71,563) Engineering, General ($71,176) Finance and Financial Management Services ($67,849) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($65,931) Systems Science and Theory ($65,683)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Linguistic & Comparative trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Linguistic & Comparative at James Madison University?
A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Linguistic & Comparative field.
Will AI replace Linguistic & Comparative careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $509,811 in decade earnings vs $570,068 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes James Madison University's Linguistic & Comparative program stand out?
Ranked #2 of 79 programs nationally, James Madison University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →