All JMU majors by area
- Social Sciences & Public Service · 10
- Business & Finance · 8
- Science & Math · 8
- Health & Medicine · 7
- Humanities & Languages · 6
- Arts & Design · 3
- Education · 3
- Technology & Computing · 2
- Communications & Media · 1
- Engineering · 1
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance | $67,849 | $104,926 | $20,500 |
| Accounting | $71,563 | $98,767 | $22,484 |
| International Business | — | $91,141 | $16,154 |
| Marketing | $61,692 | $89,944 | $21,040 |
| Economics | $62,286 | $86,681 | $18,575 |
| Business Administration | $65,931 | $85,137 | $19,750 |
| Hospitality Management | $46,915 | $65,016 | $22,250 |
| Business Economics | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Science and Theory | $65,683 | $91,034 | $22,301 |
| Mathematics | $58,810 | $75,295 | $20,876 |
| Chemistry | $45,799 | $74,631 | $25,332 |
| Biotechnology | $41,832 | $65,893 | $20,209 |
| Biology | $34,159 | $62,914 | $23,000 |
| Geology / Earth Science | $48,118 | $51,500 | $22,375 |
| Applied Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Physics | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | $76,490 | $87,056 | $21,347 |
| Health Administration | $53,913 | $77,393 | $21,118 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $33,971 | $67,033 | $21,500 |
| Speech-Language Pathology / Communication Disorders | — | $65,770 | $19,975 |
| Kinesiology / Exercise Science | $35,955 | $63,065 | $21,500 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $24,860 | $59,501 | $19,000 |
| Allied Health (Imaging / Therapy / Tech) | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linguistics | $45,122 | $62,366 | $18,398 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | $28,712 | $59,604 | $24,734 |
| Liberal Arts / General Studies | $49,408 | $58,026 | $23,250 |
| English | $26,049 | $57,487 | $22,500 |
| Writing | — | $57,179 | $22,714 |
| History | $29,000 | $55,782 | $20,500 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Art | $33,501 | $54,093 | $23,001 |
| Music | $36,106 | $51,882 | $20,968 |
| Theatre | $24,306 | $45,225 | $18,500 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Elementary / Secondary) | — | — | — |
| Special Education | — | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science / Studies | $80,173 | $113,345 | $21,025 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $81,761 | $104,806 | $21,470 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communications | $42,769 | $66,436 | $21,502 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | $71,176 | $91,761 | $25,000 |
College Scorecard field of study, latest release: median earnings of graduates who received federal aid, 1 and 4 years after graduating; median federal loan debt. — means too few graduates to report.
From major to career
Communications → Public relations specialist
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Nursing → Registered nurse
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Across all majors, former JMU students earn a median $69,954 ten years after starting college, more than 80% of Virginia colleges we cover. 80% graduate within six years.
JMU majors questions
How many majors does JMU offer?
James Madison University offers 49 bachelor's majors across 10 areas; the most majors are in Social Sciences & Public Service and Business & Finance.
What is the highest-paying major at JMU?
Information Science / Studies graduates from James Madison University earn a median $113,345 four years after graduating, the highest of the 42 majors with reported earnings. Their median debt is $21,025.
Which JMU majors earn the least?
Among majors with reported earnings, Theatre graduates earn the least: a median $45,225 four years after graduating.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study); Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections). Back to James Madison University overview