Alvernia University vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Alvernia University in Reading, PA with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alvernia University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (2,796 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alvernia University is located in Reading, PA (Small City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alvernia University 14:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Alvernia University vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University 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 Sweet Briar College than Alvernia University ($21,322 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 1.5% lower than at Alvernia University ($15,230 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 72% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $18,840 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72% higher at Alvernia University than at Sweet Briar College (about $18,840 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 29.7% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($29,034 vs. $22,387).

Alvernia University vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University 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 Alvernia University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 20 points higher than at Alvernia University (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alvernia University 1093/1286; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alvernia University - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Alvernia University (3.41).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at Alvernia University vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Alvernia University vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alvernia University 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).

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Alvernia University's (53%).
• Graduates from Alvernia University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sweet Briar College and Alvernia University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Sweet Briar College and Alvernia University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 61%)

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.