James Madison University — ROI, Cost & Payback
James Madison University charges a net price of $23,322/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $93,288. Graduates earn a median $69,954 ten years after entry, $21,594/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.3 years — a 20-year net return of $338,592, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
James Madison University's 4.3-year payback ranks #330 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 74% of them, and #12 of 81 in Virginia.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $23,322/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $93,288 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $69,954 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $21,594/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,093 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $338,592 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on James Madison University's own numbers. Net price $23,322 × 4 years = $93,288 total. Median earnings $69,954 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $21,594 a year of premium. $93,288 ÷ $21,594 = 4.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $338,592. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do James Madison University students graduate with?
A median $20,093 in federal loans among completers, or 29% of the $69,954 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of James Madison University students graduate?
80% finish their degree. Spread the $93,288 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $116,610 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is James Madison University expensive compared with other Virginia colleges?
Its $23,322 net price runs $4,256 above the $19,066 median across the 81 Virginia colleges we profile, or $17,024 more across the full degree.