James Madison University vs University of Mary Washington: 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 6.7 years at University of Mary Washington, on median earnings of $69,954 vs $60,613 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | James Madison University | University of Mary Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,322 | $20,667 |
| Total net cost | $93,288 | $82,668 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,954 | $60,613 |
| Median debt | $20,093 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $338,592 | $162,392 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, James Madison University or University of Mary Washington?
University of Mary Washington, at $20,667 a year after aid versus $23,322 — a gap of $2,655 a year, or $10,620 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 University of Mary Washington graduates earn more?
James Madison University graduates report a median $69,954 ten years after entry, $9,341 more than the $60,613 at University of Mary Washington. 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 University of Mary Washington?
James Madison University: its completers carry a median $20,093 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Mary Washington, a difference of $407. 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 66% at University of Mary Washington. 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.