Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at James Madison University by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at James Madison University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
39
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$67,763
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$30,213
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$729,183 | $85,951 | $30,213 | $21,470 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Information Science/Studies.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$668,304 | $82,877 | $30,213 | $21,025 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Finance and Financial Management Services.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$619,593 | $80,406 | $30,213 | $20,500 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Systems Science and Theory.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$517,181 | $75,407 | $30,213 | $22,301 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$410,011 | $69,797 | $30,213 | $18,575 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Engineering, General.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$389,758 | $69,218 | $30,213 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
International Business.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$383,420 | $68,304 | $30,213 | $16,154 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$346,149 | $66,791 | $30,213 | $21,347 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Accounting and Related Services.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$294,294 | $64,275 | $30,213 | $22,484 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Marketing.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$268,564 | $62,891 | $30,213 | $21,040 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$264,945 | $62,623 | $30,213 | $19,750 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Science, Technology and Society.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$254,356 | $62,372 | $30,213 | $23,875 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Mathematics.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$179,045 | $58,404 | $30,213 | $20,876 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$127,861 | $55,946 | $30,213 | $22,375 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Health and Medical Administrative Services.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$97,438 | $54,340 | $30,213 | $21,118 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Public Administration.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$73,403 | $53,029 | $30,213 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Hospitality Administration/Management.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$32,750 | $51,182 | $30,213 | $22,250 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Political Science and Government.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$24,748 | $50,630 | $30,213 | $20,000 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Communication and Media Studies.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
+$8,320 | $49,910 | $30,213 | $21,502 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$23,882 | $48,131 | $30,213 | $19,000 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$25,498 | $48,116 | $30,213 | $19,975 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$28,875 | $48,132 | $30,213 | $22,714 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
International Relations and National Security Studies.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$47,513 | $46,913 | $30,213 | $18,460 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$50,069 | $46,781 | $30,213 | $18,398 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Geography and Cartography.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$59,522 | $46,403 | $30,213 | $19,800 | Full ROI → |
| 26 |
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$62,417 | $46,373 | $30,213 | $21,500 | Full ROI → |
| 27 |
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$109,057 | $44,041 | $30,213 | $21,500 | Full ROI → |
| 28 |
Psychology, General.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$128,282 | $43,181 | $30,213 | $23,000 | Full ROI → |
| 29 |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$132,299 | $42,997 | $30,213 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 30 |
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$156,522 | $41,904 | $30,213 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 31 |
Social Work.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$172,767 | $40,686 | $30,213 | $18,989 | Full ROI → |
| 32 |
Fine and Studio Arts.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$186,483 | $40,271 | $30,213 | $23,001 | Full ROI → |
| 33 |
Music.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$200,458 | $39,435 | $30,213 | $20,968 | Full ROI → |
| 34 |
Sociology.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$200,848 | $39,294 | $30,213 | $19,168 | Full ROI → |
| 35 |
Biology, General.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$216,642 | $38,763 | $30,213 | $23,000 | Full ROI → |
| 36 |
Anthropology.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$236,087 | $37,622 | $30,213 | $20,500 | Full ROI → |
| 37 |
History.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$259,367 | $36,458 | $30,213 | $20,500 | Full ROI → |
| 38 |
English Language and Literature, General.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$266,307 | $36,246 | $30,213 | $22,500 | Full ROI → |
| 39 |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$483,667 | $25,108 | $30,213 | $18,500 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.