James Madison University vs Galen Health Institutes-Richmond: which has better ROI?
Galen Health Institutes-Richmond has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $47,686 in 3.6 years versus 4.3 years at James Madison University, on median earnings of $61,480 vs $69,954 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | James Madison University | Galen Health Institutes-Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,322 | $23,843 |
| Total net cost | $93,288 | $47,686 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,954 | $61,480 |
| Median debt | $20,093 | $24,166 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $338,592 | $214,714 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, James Madison University or Galen Health Institutes-Richmond?
James Madison University, at $23,322 a year after aid versus $23,843 — a gap of $521 a year, or $45,602 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do James Madison University or Galen Health Institutes-Richmond graduates earn more?
James Madison University graduates report a median $69,954 ten years after entry, $8,474 more than the $61,480 at Galen Health Institutes-Richmond. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, James Madison University or Galen Health Institutes-Richmond?
James Madison University: its completers carry a median $20,093 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen Health Institutes-Richmond, a difference of $4,073. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.