Master's-17% vs national median121 grads tracked
History at James Madison University
Ranked 127th of 136 master's programs in History by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$36,591
middle 50%: $25,451 – $49,433
Median · 5 years out
$48,487
middle 50%: $38,120 – $65,511
Median · 10 years out
$66,382
middle 50%: $50,636 – $88,826
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for History (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Graduates of James Madison University's master's program in History earn a median $36,591 one year after graduating, rising to $66,382 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 17% below the national median of $58,413 for this field, ranking 127th of 136 reporting programs.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
8.3 yrs
≈ $9,855 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$50,311 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Monroe
$50,227 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$49,399 · 5 yrs out
Appalachian State University
$48,715 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$47,939 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$47,392 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$47,392 · 5 yrs out
Western Carolina University
$45,751 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$45,210 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at James Madison University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$149,041 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$113,393 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$109,323 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$108,391 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$107,900 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$105,157 · 5 yrs out
Systems Science and Theory (Bachelor's)
$101,995 · 5 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's)
$101,563 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$97,528 · 5 yrs out
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's)
$97,305 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$94,450 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$94,450 · 5 yrs out