Business/Managerial Economics at James Madison University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 represents a manageable starting point, though both figures here are drawn from national benchmarks rather than James Madison's actual graduate outcomes. At an estimated $21,125 in debt against first-year earnings around $53,200, graduates would be looking at monthly loan payments consuming roughly 5-6% of gross income under standard repayment—a comfortable margin by most standards.

What's worth noting is how these national estimates compare to Virginia's reality. Similar business economics programs across the state typically produce lower first-year earnings (around $48,700) and slightly higher debt loads ($24,200). Even top-performing Virginia programs like Hampden-Sydney report earnings just below the $53,200 estimate used here. This suggests the national benchmark may be optimistic for Virginia graduates, though James Madison's solid reputation and 1247 average SAT could position its graduates closer to national norms than state averages.

The uncertainty here matters because a few thousand dollars difference in actual earnings or debt meaningfully changes the financial picture. If this program's real outcomes track closer to Virginia's state median, you're looking at a tighter first few years than these estimates suggest. Given James Madison's accessibility (76% admission rate) and the fact that data suppression often indicates smaller program cohorts, ask the school directly about graduate outcomes and placement rates before committing.