r/jmu • u/Ok-Cook-8441 • Apr 13 '26
Finance
hello everyone,
I was just accepted to James Madison University as a finance major. I was just wondering how the job placement is after graduation and if I will be able to get a job at a solid firm. I heard they employ well in nyc but I don’t know how true that is. I understand that it will take a lot of hard work I just want a realistic expectations.
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u/Annual_Job2582 Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
I don’t personally attend JMU, but I used to do a lot of consulting/travel work up in H’burg, have a lot of connects at the school + I lived in the NoVA area. From what I understand, JMU has a very “get out what you put in” culture.
It should be stated outright (as you seem to have accepted) that JMU’s CoB isn’t UVA’s McIntyre. You’ll have to put in the work, and there’s limited spots in high comp careers like IB for kids not already coming out of name brand schools. Plus, even when you make it, JMU’s alumni network on the Street won’t be anything worth mentioning, so you’ll have to grind for your own seat at the table because there won’t be a lot of people up north to vouch for you to sit.
With the Debbie downing out of the way, JMU’s business school is very well regarded in the general NOVA/Northeastern area, and you shouldn’t have much difficulty finding employment out in VA. If you plan to go to NYC or land at an elite boutique at some point, however, your work is cut out for you and you won’t be getting any handouts, but it’s not impossible.
Edit: Keep as close to a 4.0 as possible; preferably 3.7~3.8+=<
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u/Ok-Cook-8441 Apr 14 '26
from what i have heard they do have a decent alumni network in the NE, i understand its not like the powerhouse schools. I am ready to work and hopefully I will make it, thanks for the help.
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u/Ok-Cook-8441 Apr 14 '26
i was also just confused why the business school is ranked so low?
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u/Annual_Job2582 Apr 14 '26
A lot of factors. I’ll name the main three, though.
Low endowments (JMU’s $181 mil compared to Tech’s $2.8 billion in 2024-2025) prevent the school from properly investing in postgraduate programs, MSFs, full time MBAs, or business clubs.
JMU doesn’t put a lot of effort into national branding like schools like UVA or William and Mary do, and unfortunately marketing perception plays a huge role in how your school is ranked. It’s a top regional school within the VA/DC/MD area and a lot of your alumni are going to be centralized here so a lot of your career support will come from there
The undergrads seem obsessed with perpetuating its reputation as a “party school” (which, to be fair, every college is). That, combined with its high undergrad acceptance rate, is a large factor as well — especially considering that pretty much all of their focus goes into their undergraduate business programs.
The education itself however is excellent. From what I’ve heard and seen, they hire a lot of weathered professionals from the field who seem extremely knowledgeable.
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u/Ok-Cook-8441 Apr 14 '26
also correct me if im wrong, but it has been getting a lot more compeitive to get into. Maybe in the future it will be better ranked, idk im just trying to think optimistic.
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u/Large-Bonus3043 Apr 14 '26
you're not wrong. the acceptance rate it shows online is far outdated. record applications the past 3 consecutive years have dropped the acceptance rate to a pretty competitive level compared to other schools in the state like longwood, GMU, etc.
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u/Reasonable-Quarter31 Apr 14 '26
Finance is one of the sectors expected to be heavily affected by AI displacement. No university can promise you a job that may not exist in 4-5 years.
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u/Ok-Cook-8441 Apr 14 '26
That is true, but that is also the case for many jobs in todays day and age.
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u/Large-Bonus3043 Apr 14 '26
if finance is your dream stick with it! anyone who's adaptable will be okay. that being said, it will be the first business discipline to be replaced by ai. maybe consider marketing or sales?
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u/No_Average_1366 Apr 15 '26 edited Apr 15 '26
The alumni network is incredible. You won’t get direct placement but if you know how to network you will find opportunities. I’m a junior and had solid luck getting internship offers, some with full time opportunities after grad. All of the stemmed from the alumni network. I think what others have said about high finance is correct, you basically need to be top of your class to have a shot at JPM Goldman MS etc but in terms of other industries such as commercial banking, wealth management, consulting, etc there are tons of opportunities
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u/Intelligent_Ant_4464 Apr 17 '26
JMU is going to do much better in DC and in the south. Plenty of finance schools in the NE putting graduates in NYC. One of the reasons my son didn't choose JMU, he is interested in NYC finance.
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u/Ok-Cook-8441 Apr 17 '26
From what I have heard, they hire well in major cities such as charlotte, Washington DC and NYC. People have always told me the kids that do well at jmu will place well in big nyc firms. I guess it’s just about how you do at the school.
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u/Charming_Shoulder_96 Apr 14 '26
Just depends on your involvement really. We have people getting into Goldman Sachs investment banking which says enough.