James Madison University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$54,304
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$22,438/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.4 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
726%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
James Madison University's in-state tuition costs $13,576. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $48,545. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $57,438, and after ten years, earnings reach $69,954. The median debt for graduates is $20,093, and 30.4% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.41. This means the median debt is about 41% of the first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, the median debt of $20,093 is divided by the difference between the first-year earnings and the tuition cost. The break-even point is approximately one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$13,576
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,093
Median Earnings (5yr)
$57,438
Graduation Rate
81%
Receive Financial Aid
30%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | $54,304 | $56,488 | 691% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $54,304 | $56,819 | 704% |
| Education, General. | $54,304 | $50,551 | 473% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $54,304 | $46,503 | 324% |
| Psychology, General. | $54,304 | $50,895 | 485% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $54,304 | $56,742 | 701% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $54,304 | $71,473 | 1243% |
| Biology, General. | $54,304 | $45,341 | 281% |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | $54,304 | $55,800 | 666% |
| Marketing. | $54,304 | $72,730 | 1290% |
| Information Science/Studies. | $54,304 | $97,364 | 2197% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $54,304 | $94,451 | 2090% |
Peer Comparison
726%
20yr ROI
584%
20yr ROI
909%
20yr ROI
1172%
20yr ROI
664%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.