Biology, General bachelor's degree outcomes at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Federal field 2601

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$5,700 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 36.6% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −34% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+78%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$34,159 → $60,841

86Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

64Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

130Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

194Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$40,085Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$23,322

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$23,000

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$62,914

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$244/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$23,322Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$31,735Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE71.5%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE79.7%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$34,159Year 1

$62,914Year 4

$60,841Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

4.7% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$5,243

Estimated loan payment$244

194borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$62,914 vs. $57,214

$5,700 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$79,190 median wageVA estimate · 1,760 jobs · 25-1042+7.3% projected U.S. growth · 4.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeBiological Technicians$53,360 median wageVA estimate · 1,820 jobs · 19-4021+7.4% projected U.S. growth · 9.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeNatural Sciences Managers$150,570 median wageVA estimate · 1,470 jobs · 11-9121+8.2% projected U.S. growth · 9.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeBiological Scientists, All Other$96,030 median wageVA estimate · 1,650 jobs · 19-1029+4.7% projected U.S. growth · 4.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeMedical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$93,620 median wageVA estimate · 4,560 jobs · 19-1042+12.6% projected U.S. growth · 10.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeLife Scientists, All Other$81,600 median wageVA estimate · 350 jobs · 19-1099+6.3% projected U.S. growth · 0.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$72,170 median wageVA estimate · 31,100 jobs · 25-2031-0.2% projected U.S. growth · 63.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeForensic Science Technicians$68,900 median wageVA estimate · 770 jobs · 19-4092+13.3% projected U.S. growth · 2.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFood Science Technicians$65,360 median wageVA estimate · 150 jobs · 19-4013+4.8% projected U.S. growth · 3k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeAgricultural Technicians$41,210 median wageVA estimate · 170 jobs · 19-4012+5.4% projected U.S. growth · 2.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degree

Possible alternatives