Psychology at James Madison University

JMU's Psychology program shows a trajectory that should matter more to parents than the modest starting salary suggests. While graduates earn slightly below Virginia's median in their first year ($31,734 vs. $32,142 statewide), earnings jump 60% by year four to reach $50,895—substantially outpacing most in-state alternatives. This acceleration is particularly notable given the program's affordable $23,000 debt load, which sits below both state and national medians.

The initial earnings gap compared to top Virginia programs like VMI or William & Mary closes considerably over time, though JMU graduates never quite catch up. Still, the debt-to-earnings picture looks more sensible than the state ranking (40th percentile) might suggest. A graduate earning $31,734 with $23,000 in debt faces far more manageable payments than someone starting at $36,000 but carrying $35,000+ in loans—a common scenario at pricier Virginia schools.

For families focused on return-on-investment rather than prestige, this represents solid value. Your child would graduate with below-average debt and earnings that grow substantially as they gain experience. The program won't deliver the immediate post-graduation salary of Virginia's elite institutions, but the four-year trajectory combined with moderate debt creates a workable financial foundation for psychology graduates who typically need graduate school or years of experience before hitting their stride professionally.