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Mathematics at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $58,810/yr (16% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)

ROI 13.8x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #30 of 253 Mathematics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$785K	$750K	$626K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.5x	13.8x	11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.4x	6.1x	5.1x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	65%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	70	69	64

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 (6.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$87,264

-61% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$82,836

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

James Madison University's Mathematics graduates start at $58,810/yr — above the $50,797 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 13.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 65% task exposure — and the 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,500 in median debt clears quickly against $58,810 in annual earnings.

Ranked #30 out of 253 programs, James Madison University's Mathematics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $58,810 to $82,836 shows 41% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About James Madison University

A 76% acceptance rate means James Madison University is accessible to most applicants, 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

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr

Mathematicians $121,680/yr

Data scientists $112,590/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mathematics at Other Schools

Other Majors at James Madison University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does James Madison University's Mathematics program score?

This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Mathematics graduates.

How vulnerable is Mathematics to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Mathematics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 65% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does James Madison University rank so high for Mathematics?

The #30 ranking out of 253 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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