Academic Comparison between JMU and Sweet Briar

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 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 is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • JMU has more expensive tuition & fees ($31,312) than Sweet Briar ($26,160).
  • It is harder to admit to JMU than Sweet Briar.
  • JMU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,250) than Sweet Briar (1,230).
  • JMU has more students with 22,740 students while Sweet Briar has 444 students.
  • Sweet Briar has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while JMU's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • JMU has more full-time faculties with 1,048 faculties while Sweet Briar has 49 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$13,966
Out-Of-State$31,312
2025 Tuition & Fees$26,160
42%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$10,140Average Amount of Financial Aid$21,233
71.52 %Acceptance Rates75.54 %
18.16 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.25 %
1,250SAT Score1,230
27ACT Score-
80 %Graduation Rate52 %
-Transfer-out Rate31 %
92 %Retention Rate69 %
22,740Student Population444
1,048Number of Faculties49
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 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