History at James Madison University

A history degree from JMU starts rough but tells an unusual story: graduates earn just $29,000 in their first year—below both the Virginia median ($32,368) and national average—but climb to $48,338 by year four. That 67% earnings jump is remarkable for humanities degrees, which typically see slower growth. The question is whether the early financial strain is worth weathering.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $20,500, it's notably lower than both Virginia ($24,188) and national ($24,000) medians for history programs, making that difficult first year more manageable. Still, JMU history graduates earn less initially than peers at nearby Old Dominion, Longwood, or UVA, placing this program in just the 40th percentile statewide. For a family banking on their child landing a teaching position or museum job right after graduation, those first-year numbers could mean moving back home or taking on additional work.

The trajectory matters here more than the starting point. By year four, JMU history graduates have nearly caught up to stronger Virginia programs, suggesting they're finding their footing in fields that value the degree—whether that's education, nonprofit work, or graduate school preparation. The moderate debt load won't anchor them financially. If your child can handle a lean first year or two post-graduation—perhaps with parental support or by staying in lower-cost areas—this program's growth curve becomes its selling point.