Health and Medical Administrative Services at James Madison University

JMU's healthcare administration program delivers something rare: graduates earn 21% more than the national median while carrying 32% less debt than typical programs. With first-year earnings of $53,913 and just $21,118 in debt, your child would have one of the lowest debt burdens among the 589 schools offering this degree nationwide. That 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduating with debt equal to less than five months' salary—a comfortable position for launching a career.

Within Virginia, this program sits at the 60th percentile for earnings, trailing Radford but significantly outperforming the state median of $43,316. More importantly, JMU graduates carry less than half the debt of the typical Virginia program ($21,118 vs. $45,110), which explains why this represents particularly strong value among in-state options. The 18% earnings growth through year four suggests stable career progression in healthcare administration roles.

The moderate sample size means these figures could shift somewhat year to year, but the fundamental value proposition is clear: your child would enter a growing healthcare field with strong earning potential and minimal financial burden. For a family considering in-state tuition at an accessible institution (76% admission rate), this program offers a practical path to solid mid-career earnings without the debt load that often accompanies healthcare degrees.