GeraMarket / US College ROI / James Madison University
James Madison University: College ROI
Harrisonburg, VA · 20,888 undergraduates. Median 10-yr earnings: $69,954 · Median debt: $20,093 · Net price: $23,322/yr · GEROI: 2.8/100.
What is the return on investment for James Madison University?
As of June 2026, James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA) alumni have a median income of $69,954 ten years after entry — 27.3% above the cohort median of $54,940 — with median debt of $20,093 and a net annual cost of $23,322, per the US Dept of Education College Scorecard (public domain). Gera Education ROI Index: 2.8/100 (Below-average ROI).
GEROI tier: Below-average ROI (2.8/100)
Based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised within the top-300 US institutions by enrollment. See full methodology.
James Madison University — key figures (June 2026)
| Measure | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Median 10-yr earnings | $69,954 | MD_EARN_WNE_P10 (June 2026) — 27.3% above cohort median |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,093 | GRAD_DEBT_MDN (June 2026) — 11% above cohort median ($18,095) |
| Annual net price | $23,322/yr | NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV (June 2026) — 73.3% above cohort median ($13,461/yr) |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 20,888 | UGDS — total undergrad enrolled (June 2026) |
| GEROI score | 2.8 / 100 | Gera Education ROI Index (Below-average ROI) — normalised within top-300 cohort |
Compare James Madison University with other VA institutions
Filter, sort, and rank all institutions in our database by state, GEROI score, earnings, debt, or net price — personalised to your criteria.
Higher = better ROI
| # | Institution | GEROI | 10-yr earnings | Median debt | Net price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale, VA | 5.8/100 | $53,557 | $11,000 | $9,919/yr | View |
| #2 | University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA | 4.3/100 | $86,863 | $17,500 | $21,565/yr | View |
| #3 | George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA | 4.2/100 | $76,343 | $19,500 | $17,915/yr | View |
| #4 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA | 3.2/100 | $81,698 | $21,500 | $24,953/yr | View |
| #5 | Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk, VA | 3.2/100 | $38,349 | $10,000 | $11,762/yr | View |
| #6 | James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA | 2.8/100 | $69,954 | $20,093 | $23,322/yr | View |
| #7 | Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA | 2.8/100 | $54,914 | $24,000 | $14,638/yr | View |
| #8 | Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA | 2.0/100 | $58,128 | $21,500 | $23,433/yr | View |
| #9 | ECPI UniversityVirginia Beach, VA | 1.2/100 | $42,837 | $20,000 | $22,965/yr | View |
| #10 | Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA | 0.8/100 | $44,813 | $24,500 | $29,357/yr | View |
Showing top 25 of 10 matching institutions. Source: US Dept of Education — College Scorecard (June 2026).
GEROI (Gera Education ROI Index) = normalised score 0–100 based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ annual net price. Data: College Scorecard June 2026, public domain, no key required.
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the average earnings for James Madison University graduates?
- In June 2026, the median earnings for working James Madison University alumni 10 years after first enrollment are $69,954, per the US Department of Education College Scorecard (MD_EARN_WNE_P10). This is 27.3% above the top-300-institution cohort median of $54,940.
- What is the typical student debt for James Madison University graduates?
- The median cumulative debt at graduation for James Madison University students is $20,093, per the College Scorecard (GRAD_DEBT_MDN, June 2026). This is 11% above cohort median ($18,095).
- What does James Madison University actually cost after financial aid?
- The average annual net price at James Madison University — the cost actually paid after grants and scholarships are applied — is $23,322/yr, per the College Scorecard (NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV, June 2026). This is 73.3% above cohort median ($13,461/yr).
- What is James Madison University's GEROI score?
- James Madison University's Gera Education ROI Index (GEROI) is 2.8/100 (Below-average ROI). GEROI = (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised 0–100 across the top-300 US colleges by enrollment. A score of 2.8 means James Madison University is in the lower half of the cohort on financial return per dollar of net tuition. See the methodology page for the full formula.
- Is James Madison University worth it financially?
- Based on College Scorecard data (June 2026): James Madison University has a median 10-yr earnings of $69,954, median debt of $20,093, and net price of $23,322/yr — giving a GEROI of 2.8/100. Whether it's "worth it" depends on your field of study, career goals, and financial situation — GEROI provides the factual financial context, not a personalised recommendation.
Other VA institutions (by GEROI)
- Northern Virginia Community College — GEROI 5.8/100 · $53,557 10yr
- University of Virginia-Main Campus — GEROI 4.3/100 · $86,863 10yr
- George Mason University — GEROI 4.2/100 · $76,343 10yr
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — GEROI 3.2/100 · $81,698 10yr
- Tidewater Community College — GEROI 3.2/100 · $38,349 10yr
- Old Dominion University — GEROI 2.8/100 · $54,914 10yr
- All 300 institutions →
Contains public sector information published by US Department of Education and licensed under the US Federal Government Open Data (public domain). Source: US Department of Education — College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution Data) (June 2026, published 10 June 2026).