James Madison University vs Hampden-Sydney College: which has better ROI?
James Madison University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $93,288 in 4.3 years versus 4.6 years at Hampden-Sydney College, on median earnings of $69,954 vs $67,640 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | James Madison University | Hampden-Sydney College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,322 | $22,400 |
| Total net cost | $93,288 | $89,600 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,954 | $67,640 |
| Median debt | $20,093 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $338,592 | $296,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, James Madison University or Hampden-Sydney College?
Hampden-Sydney College, at $22,400 a year after aid versus $23,322 — a gap of $922 a year, or $3,688 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 Hampden-Sydney College graduates earn more?
James Madison University graduates report a median $69,954 ten years after entry, $2,314 more than the $67,640 at Hampden-Sydney College. 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 Hampden-Sydney College?
James Madison University: its completers carry a median $20,093 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Hampden-Sydney College, a difference of $5,907. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at James Madison University, against 62% at Hampden-Sydney College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.