Location: Harrisonburg, VA•In-State Tuition: $13,576•Out-of-State Tuition: $30,790•Admission Rate: 76%•Avg SAT: 1247
Est. Earnings (1yr)Estimated
$49,890
Est. from national median (103 programs)
Median DebtReported
$16,154
31% below national median

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.

Analysis

JMU's International Business program stands out for its debt management—at $16,154, it's roughly $7,300 below the national median for this degree and matches the state average. That's a meaningful advantage when you're evaluating a program where first-year earnings typically hover around $50,000 nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 suggests graduates could realistically pay down their loans within a manageable timeframe.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. While comparable programs nationally produce first-year earnings near $50,000, this program's graduates earn $73,860 by year four—a substantial jump that indicates strong career progression. That $24,000 increase suggests the degree opens doors to roles with real growth potential, though it's worth noting the program serves a relatively small cohort (hence the data suppression), which may reflect either selectivity or limited capacity.

The bottom line: JMU combines below-average debt with what appears to be above-average mid-career outcomes for International Business majors. The four-year earnings figure is particularly strong compared to typical starting salaries in this field. For parents concerned about ROI, the low debt load provides a crucial safety margin, allowing graduates to pursue career opportunities without crushing loan payments constraining their choices early on.

Where James Madison University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally

James Madison University (estimated ±10%)Other international business programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
James Madison University—$73,860—
George Washington University$70,856$101,930+44%
Georgetown University$81,800$101,821+24%
University of Wisconsin-Madison$66,591$94,010+41%
University of Delaware$57,941$92,663+60%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

International Business bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg$13,576$49,890*$73,860$16,154—
Georgetown UniversityWashington$65,081$81,800*$101,821$14,4470.18
Northeastern UniversityBoston$63,141$80,848*$91,133$25,7290.32
Villanova UniversityVillanova$64,701$74,529*$86,976$22,2500.30
Ashford UniversitySan Diego$13,160$71,369*$61,843$27,1950.38
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia$12,688$70,992*$89,299$25,1740.35
National Median—$49,890*—$23,4720.47
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Business Operations Specialists, All Other

All business operations specialists not listed separately.

Business Continuity Planners

Develop, maintain, or implement business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and solutions, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, strategy selection, and documentation of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures. Plan, conduct, and debrief regular mock-disaster exercises to test the adequacy of existing plans and strategies, updating procedures and plans regularly. Act as a coordinator for continuity efforts after a disruption event.

Sustainability Specialists

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

Online Merchants

Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.

Security Management Specialists

Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.

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About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At James Madison University, approximately 17% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 103 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.