Marketing at James Madison University

JMU's marketing program punches well above its weight, with first-year graduates earning $61,692—nearly 40% more than the national median for marketing majors and significantly outpacing every other Virginia school except Virginia Tech. For an institution with a 76% acceptance rate, these outcomes are remarkable. Among Virginia's 15 marketing programs, JMU ranks second only to Tech, while its graduates out-earn those from more selective schools like George Mason by over $12,000 annually.

The financial fundamentals are equally solid. With $21,040 in typical debt and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, graduates can realistically expect to pay off loans within about a year of working—a manageable burden by any standard. Earnings growth to $72,730 by year four demonstrates continued career momentum rather than an early plateau. The robust sample size (100+ graduates tracked) means these aren't outlier results but reflect consistent program performance.

For families concerned about ROI, this program delivers rare clarity: strong earnings immediately after graduation, reasonable debt levels, and outcomes that outperform both state and national peers by comfortable margins. You're getting near-elite results at a public university price point, which is exactly what value-conscious families should be seeking.