Academic Comparison between JMU and Bridgewater

James Madison University and Bridgewater College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. JMU is a four-year, public school located in Harrisonburg, VA and Bridgewater is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Bridgewater, VA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • JMU is a public and Bridgewater is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Bridgewater has more expensive tuition & fees ($41,350) than JMU ($30,790).
  • It is harder to admit to JMU than Bridgewater.
  • JMU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,240) than Bridgewater (1,210).
  • Bridgewater has higher submitted ACT score (27) than JMU (27).
  • JMU has more students with 22,224 students while Bridgewater has 1,421 students.
  • Bridgewater has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while JMU's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • JMU has more full-time faculties with 1,060 faculties while Bridgewater has 113 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
JMU Bridgewater
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

James Madison Universityvs.Bridgewater College
Harrisonburg, VirginiaLocationBridgewater, Virginia
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$13,576
Out-Of-State$30,790
2024 Tuition & Fees$41,350
35%% Receiving Financial Aid100%
$9,388Average Amount of Financial Aid$29,602
76.00 %Acceptance Rates90.99 %
18.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.00 %
1,240SAT Score1,210
27ACT Score29
81 %Graduation Rate57 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
89 %Retention Rate75 %
22,224Student Population1,421
1,060Number of Faculties113
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services