James Madison University
#1 Best Education Colleges in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 80% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $69,954 A
- Top 7% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $23,322 D+
- 36% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.2 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Education Colleges in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $19.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,696,786.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 72% more than the national college median.
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A 80% graduation rate — 41% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.3%
- Top 67%
- Patents
- 56
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 140
- Downstream influence
Why James Madison University Matters
James Madison University is a public research university in Harrisonburg, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 7% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 20,888
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Communications, Social Sciences
Why students choose James Madison University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 72% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1170–1340. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,322 a year after grants and scholarships — 36% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $69,954 ten years after enrolling — 72% above the typical college, against $20,093 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 90% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.78 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With nearly 21,000 students, James Madison University is a solid choice for those looking for a vibrant campus life and a range of academic options. The school shines in fields like Health Professions, Business and Marketing, Communications, Social Sciences, and Psychology. This diversity allows students to explore their interests while preparing for various career paths. The 72% acceptance rate suggests that a wide range of applicants can find their place here, making it an accessible option for many.
Looking at life after graduation, the numbers are encouraging. Graduates earn a median salary of about $69,954 ten years after leaving, which speaks to the value of the education received here. The affordability factor is also worth noting; with a net price of $23,322 after aid, many students find a manageable financial path. While we don’t have specific mobility data, these earnings indicate that graduates are positioned well in the job market.
When it comes to financial considerations, the median debt of $20,093 suggests that students can graduate without being overwhelmed by loans. This balance makes James Madison University appealing for those who are cautious about debt. The student body tends to thrive in a collaborative environment that values both academic success and personal growth, which helps foster a supportive community for all.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective James Madison University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into James Madison University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, James Madison University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,256. The graduation rate is roughly 80%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 92%
- SAT Average
- 1256
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1170–1340
- ACT Range
- 24–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 81%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,916
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 21%
- Applicants
- 30,727
- Admitted
- 24,062
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend James Madison University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at James Madison University is $31,604, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,322. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,444 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,093 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,250
- Out-of-State
- $31,604
- Avg Net Price
- $23,322
- Median Debt
- $20,093
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 29%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,444
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,977
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,475
- Family Income $110K+
- $30,147
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at James Madison University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is James Madison University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of James Madison University earn a median of $69,954, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $57,438
- 8 Years
- $64,070
- 10 Years
- $69,954
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.29x
- Earning > $25K
- 79%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,942)
- 68%
- 100% (2,942)
- 68%
- 100% (2,942)
- 68%
- 100% (2,942)
- 68%
How James Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is James Madison University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, James Madison University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,322/year ($93,288 total). Graduates earn $69,954 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,790,074 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,696,786 (19.2× your investment). The median debt is $20,093, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 80% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $93,288
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,790,074
- Net Return
- $1,696,786
- ROI Multiple
- 19.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,322
- Median Debt
- $20,093
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does James Madison University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
James Madison University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.75%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 40.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $134,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.75%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 40.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 1.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $182,467
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
James Madison University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 56 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.27%
- Top 67% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 56
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 140
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.63%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $629,626
Top Programs
The fields James Madison University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 18% $76,003 early-career
- Business & Marketing 15% $80,060 early-career
- Communications 10% $46,849 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $58,542 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $86,333 early-career
- Psychology 6% $36,045 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $42,081 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $34,239 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for James Madison University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into James Madison University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, James Madison University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,256. The graduation rate is roughly 80%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend James Madison University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at James Madison University is $31,604, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,322. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,444 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,093 in federal student loans.
Is James Madison University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of James Madison University earn a median of $69,954, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does James Madison University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
James Madison University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.75%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 40.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $134,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is James Madison University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at James Madison University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to James Madison University.
- University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY · Close peer74% grad $70,814 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of DelawareNewark, DE · Close peer80% grad $72,950 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA · Close peer83% grad $71,631 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO · Close peer75% grad $69,738 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of California-RiversideRiverside, CA · Close peer76% grad $67,699 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA · Close peer75% grad $68,396 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is James Madison University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at James Madison University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note