JMU vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

James Madison University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: James Madison University 17:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

JMU vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JMU or Sweet Briar College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at James Madison University than Sweet Briar College ($18,856 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 14.3% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($13,056 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 83.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $11,910 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at JMU than at Sweet Briar College (about $5,444 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at James Madison University (99% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 84.8% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($22,387 vs. $12,114).

JMU vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JMU or Sweet Briar College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sweet Briar College and JMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: James Madison University 1170/1340; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JMU - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at JMU vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

JMU vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JMU and Sweet Briar College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Sweet Briar College's (70%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($20,899 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.