Information Science/Studies at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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/Studies 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/Studies 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/Studies 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/Studies 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/Studies program score?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. James Madison University's Information Science/Studies graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Information Science/Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Information Science/Studies 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/Studies?
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 →