Accounting and Related Services at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
83 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
85
Optimistic
83
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,563/yr (33% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)
ROI 14.2x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #34 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Accounting and Related Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $819K $773K $660K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.1x 14.2x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.3x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 65% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 85 83 79

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,304
Out-of-state: $123,160 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,264
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,619
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $71,563 put James Madison University's Accounting and Related Services program 33% above the national median of $53,724 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Accounting and Related Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Accounting and Related Services's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $71,563 far exceeding the $22,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #34 of 714 nationally, this is a top-5% Accounting and Related Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $71,563 to $88,619 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About James Madison University

James Madison University accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 20,497 in Harrisonburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at James Madison University →

Top Career Paths

Financial managers $161,700/yr
Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr
Financial and investment analysts $101,350/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Accounting and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at James Madison University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at James Madison University?
This program scores 83/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting and Related Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Accounting and Related Services careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $659,860 in decade earnings vs $819,316 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes James Madison University's Accounting and Related Services program stand out?
Ranked #34 of 714 programs nationally, James Madison University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →