Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
James Madison University is a public national university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. JMU is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at JMU is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $61,268 10 years after enrolling, 9th in Virginia, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, JMU bachelor students earn 13% more than the national average. JMU is ranked 8th in Virginia.
James Madison University’s median net annual cost of $22,562 and average years to graduate of 4.4 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at JMU sorted by number of graduates - Mental & Social Health Services, Comms & Media Studies, Health & Fitness, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Registered Nursing, Psychology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$22,562
Average years to graduate
4.4
Computer Systems Analysis
Rank: #9
Economic score: 1.28
Computer and Information Sciences
Rank: #87
Economic score: 1.46
Finance
Rank: #36
Economic score: 1.49
Business Administration
Rank: #114
Economic score: 2.04
Marketing
Rank: #47
Economic score: 2.12
Communication disorder sciences
Rank: #24
Economic score: 2.95
Hospitality Mgmt.
Rank: #35
Economic score: 3.37
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #107
Economic score: 3.46
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: #36
Economic score: 4.6
Biology
Rank: #319
Economic score: 6.69
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at JMU - Education, General, Accounting, Health & Fitness, Business Administration, Diagnostic, Intervention & Treatment , Special Education - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Registered Nursing
Rank: #40
Economic score: 0.27
Education
Rank: #50
Economic score: 0.4
Communication disorder sciences
Rank: #11
Economic score: 0.43
Student Counseling
Rank: #28
Economic score: 0.49
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #9
Economic score: 0.73
Therapeutic professions
Rank: #66
Economic score: 0.76
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.4 years. 84% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at JMU is 22% higher than the state average, and 17% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At JMU, Pell Grant recipients represent 14% of the measured graduating class, 21% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at JMU graduates within 4.4 years.
JMU is in the bottom 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
James Madison University’s economic mobility score of 11.45 is calculated by adjusting the 1.71 economic score of lower-income students by the 14% pell grant recipients within the student body. JMU’s EMS of 11.45 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at James Madison University pays $22,562 a year, $6,218 less than the $28,780 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $22,562
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At JMU, 31% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $22,562 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 36% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $9,063. This is 18% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,199
Pell grants
$4,781
State grants
$5,371
Institutional grants
$7,908
James Madison University offers 1 hybrid bachelor program. At the master’s level JMU offers 3 programs, one of which is held exclusively online. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
4
Hybrid programs
3
Percentage of programs online
5%
James Madison University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 86% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 21,176 applicants, of which 18,265 were admitted and 4,767 enrolled. JMU doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
98%
83%
Female
61%
59%
First time
83%
59%
In-state
75%
68%
1st generation
21%
35%
White
75%
52%
Black
5%
14%
Hispanic
7%
15%
Asian
5%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
8%
12%