CoB Ranks #1 for ROI

JMU’s College of Business (CoB) ranks #1 for “Business Schools With The Best ROI”, according to Poets&Quants in their second annual ranking of undergraduate business programs. The ranking projects that five years post-graduation, Virginia residents attending the CoB will have the highest return-on-investment of the 82 business schools included. JMU ranked #20 for ROI for out-of-state students. Poets&Quants also projected ROI 30 years out and JMU ranked #6 for in-state student and #11 for out-of-state student return. The ranking computed ROI based on average salaries of the most recent graduating class projected out every five years to 30 years post-graduation, taking into account the cost of attending the school with and without scholarships. 

Dean Mary Gowan noted, “this ranking provides further confirmation of what we know to be true about our graduates. Employers tell us that our graduates enter the workplace prepared to accelerate early in their careers using their integrated approach to business, interpersonal skills, and strong work ethic. We make sure our students graduate with the knowledge, tools, and experience to succeed and they do.”  

Other notable rankings for JMU on the overall survey by Poets&Quants includes: 

• #12, total compensation at $71,417 (average salary + bonus)
• #10, average salary at $69,482 (higher than UNC Chapel Hill and the second highest in VA)
• #8 (tied with William & Mary), “Would you recommend business program to a close friend or colleague?”
• #17 (tied with University of Wisconsin) for “Do you believe your business degree was worth its cost in terms of time and tuition?”
• #20, “Do you believe your business degree will assist you in climbing to a new socioeconomic status?”
• #21, “How would you rate the quality of teaching in business courses?”
• #25 (tied with Miami University), “Were business school faculty available for informal discussion and mentoring outside of class?”
• #25 (tied with William & Mary), “Was your business school experience life-changing?”
• #27 (tied with University of Georgia), “Evaluate how well the business program prepared you for the world of work.” 

Poets&Quants is considered a leading online publication for graduate and undergraduate business education news. The JMU College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—a credential achieved by only the top five percent of business programs worldwide.