Information Science at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Information Science/Studies
85 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
85
Base Case
78
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,173/yr (35% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (68% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (221,900 openings/yr)
ROI 17.8x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 129 Information Science/Studies programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Information Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,008K $965K $739K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 17.8x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 7.8x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 68% 39%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 85 78

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 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,264
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$111,126
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $80,173 put James Madison University's Information Science program 35% above the national median of $59,433 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 17.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 68% task exposure — and the 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $80,173 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #4 out of 129 programs, James Madison University's Information Science program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $80,173 to $111,126 shows 39% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About James Madison University

James Madison University accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 20,497 students in Harrisonburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at James Madison University →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Information Science at Other Schools

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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

How does James Madison University's Information Science program score?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. James Madison University's Information Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Information Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Information Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 68% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does James Madison University rank so high for Information Science?
The #4 ranking out of 129 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →