Nutrition & Food Science at James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,860/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk
High (45% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (306,000 openings/yr)
ROI
11.7x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Nutrition & Food Science graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $652K | $638K | $574K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.0x | 11.7x | 10.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.3x | 5.2x | 4.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 52% | 47% | 36% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 44 | 43 | 43 |
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 (5.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,375
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,500
139% growth from Year 1
About James Madison University
With 76% of applicants admitted, James Madison University prioritizes broad access, 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
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary
$77,280/yr
Dietitians and nutritionists
$73,850/yr
Food service managers
$65,310/yr
Compare & Explore
Nutrition & Food Science at Other Schools
Other Majors at James Madison University
Consider the Trade Route?
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
How does James Madison University's Nutrition & Food Science program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Nutrition & Food Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Nutrition & Food Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Nutrition & Food Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Nutrition & Food Science earnings lower at James Madison University?
Lower starting pay at James Madison University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →