Marketing at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $61,692/yr (36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (54% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (204,300 openings/yr)
ROI 12.6x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #18 of 502 Marketing programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $709K $683K $597K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.1x 12.6x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.5x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 66

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 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,264
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,936
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $61,692 per year, Marketing graduates from James Madison University significantly outpace the $45,450 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Marketing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Marketing's typical career paths, with 54% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $19,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #18 of 502 nationally, this is a top-5% Marketing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $61,692 to $85,936 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About James Madison University

With 76% of applicants admitted, James Madison University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 20,497 in Harrisonburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at James Madison University →

Top Career Paths

Marketing managers $161,030/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Advertising and promotions managers $126,960/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Marketing at James Madison University?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Marketing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Marketing careers?
With 54% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $597,486 in decade earnings vs $708,847 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes James Madison University's Marketing program stand out?
Ranked #18 of 502 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 →