Is James Madison University worth it?
James Madison University is a public, four-year institution in Harrisonburg, Virginia (small city). It awarded 5,488 degrees and certificates in 2024, most often in community health services, speech communication and rhetoric and psychology.
Employer and job title data for James Madison University is being added
Federal data below is live now. When the scan lands, this page will show graduates found employed, top employers, first and current job titles, industries, metros and the trend by class year.
- Employers and job titles from public professional profiles
- Industries, metros and states graduates were found in
- Found employed by class year, 2020 to 2025
Claimed schools are scanned first
Federal data
Federal context for James Madison University
Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.
Median earnings 1 year after
$48,545
Median earnings 4 years after
$70,627
Median earnings 10 years after
$69,954
Average net price
$23,322
Completion rate
80%
Completions (2024)
5,488
Years to pay back
1.3 years
Students (undergrad)
20,888
Median earnings after completing, by program
| Program | Credential | Median earnings, 1yr | Median earnings, 4yr | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | Bachelor's | $42,769 | $66,436 | 428 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | Bachelor's | $33,971 | $67,033 | 342 |
| Education, General | Master's | $55,195 | $58,739 | 328 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Bachelor's | $76,490 | $87,056 | 249 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's | $35,955 | $63,065 | 188 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | $31,734 | $56,212 | 178 |
| Information Science/Studies | Bachelor's | $80,173 | $113,345 | 164 |
| Marketing | Bachelor's | $61,692 | $89,944 | 156 |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's | $34,159 | $62,914 | 146 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's | $65,931 | $85,137 | 138 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | Bachelor's | $46,915 | $65,016 | 138 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Bachelor's | $67,849 | $104,926 | 134 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Bachelor's | $33,501 | $54,093 | 113 |
| Science, Technology and Society | Bachelor's | $54,235 | $82,455 | 94 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Bachelor's | $53,913 | $77,393 | 93 |
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.
Awards conferred, by program
| Program | Award level | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling | Bachelor's | 449 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | Bachelor's | 426 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | 294 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | Bachelor's | 274 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 179 |
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | Bachelor's | 176 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | Bachelor's | 166 |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | Bachelor's | 163 |
| Business Administration and Management, General | Bachelor's | 148 |
| Information Science/Studies | Bachelor's | 146 |
Federal view: Census PSEO, most recent federal cohort, one year after completion
| Industry | Share of graduates | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 22% | 14,967 |
| Educational Services | 19% | 12,853 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 15% | 9,856 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 6% | 3,953 |
| Finance and Insurance | 6% | 3,733 |
| Retail Trade | 5% | 3,636 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 5% | 3,564 |
| Information | 4% | 2,530 |
Similar schools
Other public four year schools in Virginia
Same state, same sector, nearest by completions.
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA
46%
completion rate
5,076
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageVirginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
63%
completion rate
7,236
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageWilliam & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
89%
completion rate
2,774
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageFor school staff
Claim this page
Correct your page, verify your outcomes, and add the graduates a public profile scan cannot see. Claimed schools are scanned first.
Sources: federal figures for James Madison University. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for Virginia. Counts under 10 are not published.
Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page