Academic Comparison between JMU and Sweet Briar College

James Madison University and Sweet Briar College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. JMU is a four-year, public school located in Harrisonburg, VA and Sweet Briar College is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Sweet Briar, 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 Sweet Briar College is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • JMU has more expensive tuition & fees ($30,790) than Sweet Briar College ($25,110).
  • It is harder to admit to Sweet Briar College than JMU.
  • JMU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,240) than Sweet Briar College (1,230).
  • JMU has higher submitted ACT score (27) than Sweet Briar College (25).
  • JMU has more students with 22,224 students while Sweet Briar College has 460 students.
  • Sweet Briar College has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while JMU's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • JMU has more full-time faculties with 1,060 faculties while Sweet Briar College has 36 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

James Madison Universityvs.Sweet Briar College
Harrisonburg, VirginiaLocationSweet Briar, 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$25,110
35%% Receiving Financial Aid97%
$9,388Average Amount of Financial Aid$13,706
76.25 %Acceptance Rates71.74 %
18.06 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)16.93 %
1,240SAT Score1,230
27ACT Score25
81 %Graduation Rate61 %
-Transfer-out Rate2 %
89 %Retention Rate62 %
22,224Student Population460
1,060Number of Faculties36
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio8 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services