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.
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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
76.25 %Acceptance Rates90.81 %
18.06 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.86 %
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