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Is James Madison University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for James Madison, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
James Madison lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $20,093 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $69,954, but the margin is not huge. For context, James Madison's net price sits about 100% above the typical 4-year, public school and near the top of its sector range. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$26,317
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis significantly impacts your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $13,163 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $53,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data is workable, but not so strong that it erases financing risk.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$23,322
Median earnings 10 years out
$69,954
Median debt at graduation
$20,093
Graduation rate
80%
At James Madison, a typical graduate carries about $20,093 in student debt and earns roughly $69,954 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $228 per month, or 4% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
James Madison is a public four year school in Harrisonburg, VA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Virginia Commonwealth
Richmond, VA
Worth-It Score: 61/100
Median net price: $23,433
Public 4-year
Christopher Newport
Newport News, VA
Worth-It Score: 67/100
Median net price: $23,015
Public 4-year
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
Blacksburg, VA
Worth-It Score: 85/100
Median net price: $24,953
Public 4-year
University of Virginia-
Charlottesville, VA
Worth-It Score: 92/100
Median net price: $21,565
Public 4-year
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
Worth-It Score: 67/100
Median net price: $20,667
Common questions about James Madison
The median net price at James Madison is $23,322 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Virginia? See the most affordable public universities in Virginia →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →