Academic Comparison between Bridgewater and JMU

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

  • Bridgewater is a private (not-for-profit) and JMU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • JMU has more expensive tuition & fees ($31,312) than Bridgewater ($16,090).
  • It is harder to admit to JMU than Bridgewater.
  • JMU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,180) than Bridgewater (1,180).
  • JMU has more students with 22,740 students while Bridgewater has 1,448 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 1,048 faculties while Bridgewater has 95 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Bridgewater Collegevs.James Madison University
Bridgewater, VirginiaLocationHarrisonburg, Virginia
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
$16,0902025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$13,966
Out-Of-State$31,312
100%% Receiving Financial Aid42%
$40,408Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,140
91.72 %Acceptance Rates71.52 %
10.13 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)18.16 %
1,180SAT Score1,250
-ACT Score27
53 %Graduation Rate80 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
75 %Retention Rate92 %
1,448Student Population22,740
95Number of Faculties1,048
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services