Philosophy & Religion at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
22
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,712/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (2,000 openings/yr)
ROI 7.7x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 1 Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other programs Top 1%

Program Analysis

This specialized "Other" designation often signifies a highly interdisciplinary approach within philosophy and religious studies, or a unique focus not captured by standard categories. While the listed career path points towards academia, understand that becoming a postsecondary teacher almost certainly requires extensive graduate-level education, making it a challenging and competitive long-term endeavor. Your education here will hone exceptional critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and communication skills, which are highly transferable, but you'll likely need to translate them into roles outside traditional academia—perhaps in policy, non-profits, or strategic communication. The "Very High" AI risk signals that tasks involving information synthesis and basic content generation are increasingly automated. To thrive, you'll need to cultivate uniquely human capacities like creative problem-solving, nuanced ethical judgment, and complex interpersonal communication. Proactively seek internships or projects that apply your analytical skills in practical, non-academic settings to broaden your career horizons.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $409K $419K $407K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.5x 7.7x 7.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.4x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 22 21

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 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,264
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,250
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary $78,050/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Other Majors at James Madison University

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 22/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Philosophy & Religion at James Madison University?
At 22/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Philosophy & Religion programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Philosophy & Religion at James Madison University?
The 51% 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 Philosophy & Religion?
Among 1 Philosophy & Religion programs, James Madison University's #1 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 →