School value profile
James Madison University OT value profile
Review why James Madison University ranks #36 in The OT Index public-program value ranking, including institution-level cost, debt, completion, state labor-market context, and matched ACOTE program profiles.
Value rank #3655.4 value score$14,250 in-state tuition$20,093 median debt
Value snapshot
Cost, debt, completion, and career-return context
This profile keeps College Scorecard institution-level measures separate from ACOTE and NBCOT program-specific context so applicants can see what is known and what still needs direct confirmation.
Our take
James Madison University value assessment
Why it stands out
- $20,093 median debt is $858 below the midpoint, so lower published tuition appears to translate into lower borrowing at the institution level.
- 80% completion is above the comparison midpoint, which matters because affordability is more compelling when students are also completing at a strong rate.
- Virginia's labor-market score is above the program-set midpoint, giving graduates a stronger local employment backdrop than price alone would suggest.
Tradeoffs that matter
- Published in-state tuition is $3,778 above the comparison midpoint, so this is not one of the genuinely low-price public options.
- The headline price is in-state tuition. An applicant who does not qualify for resident pricing should not expect the #36 value case to carry over unchanged.
What to compare next
- Compare James Madison University with the two nearest-ranked public options on tuition and debt separately; similar value scores can be driven by different affordability strengths.
- Compare the matched OT master's program profile on degree and delivery format before treating the institution-level price advantage as a program-level win.
- Put Virginia's labor-market score beside the state where you expect to work after graduation; local value is less relevant when the likely first job is elsewhere.
Applicant read
What makes this school look affordable—or not
The value score is strongest when low cost, manageable debt, institution-wide completion strength, and local labor-market opportunity point in the same direction.
Published tuition
The published in-state tuition is competitive, but program fees and living costs can erase some of that advantage.
Median debt
The institution-wide median debt is moderate, so tuition—not unusually low borrowing—is doing most of the work in the value score.
Completion rate
The institution-wide completion rate is respectable but not exceptional, so it provides only modest support for the value case.
State opportunity
Virginia has a middle-of-the-pack job market in this model. Compare the strongest metros and common first jobs instead of relying on the statewide average.
Program profiles
Linked ACOTE program profiles
Open the program-level profiles before treating the institution-level value score as an application decision.
| Program profile | Value context | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| James Madison University OT master's profile | OT master's program; ACOTE next on-site review 2032/2033. | Open profile |
Compare value options
Other public OT value profiles
Compare the value score against other public options before narrowing your application list.
Rank #68
Radford University
$12,548 in-state tuition; $24,000 median debt; 47.4 value score.
Open value profile Rank #70Old Dominion University
$12,750 in-state tuition; $24,000 median debt; 46.3 value score.
Open value profile Rank #73Virginia Commonwealth University
$16,945 in-state tuition; $21,500 median debt; 44.3 value score.
Open value profile
James Madison University is a competitive but not exceptional value option for an in-state applicant. The value case is debt-led rather than the result of especially low published tuition. The 80% completion rate supports the case.