Academic Comparison between Sweet Briar and GMU

Sweet Briar College and George Mason University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Sweet Briar is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Sweet Briar, VA and GMU is a four-year, public school located in Fairfax, 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.

  • Sweet Briar is a private (not-for-profit) and GMU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • GMU has more expensive tuition & fees ($38,688) than Sweet Briar ($26,160).
  • It is harder to admit to Sweet Briar than GMU.
  • GMU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,230) than Sweet Briar (1,230).
  • GMU has more students with 39,766 students while Sweet Briar has 444 students.
  • Sweet Briar has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while GMU's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • GMU has more full-time faculties with 1,463 faculties while Sweet Briar has 49 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Sweet Briar Collegevs.George Mason University
Sweet Briar, VirginiaLocationFairfax, Virginia
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$26,1602025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,220
Out-Of-State$38,688
99%% Receiving Financial Aid60%
$21,233Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,628
75.54 %Acceptance Rates87.48 %
13.25 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.22 %
1,230SAT Score1,270
-ACT Score28
52 %Graduation Rate68 %
31 %Transfer-out Rate17 %
69 %Retention Rate86 %
444Student Population39,766
49Number of Faculties1,463
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare