AU vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Anderson University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

AU vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU 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 AU ($21,322 vs. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 16.5% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($12,720 vs. $15,230).
• Anderson University is 33.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $8,810 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.7% higher at AU than at Sweet Briar College (about $8,810 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Anderson University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 16% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($25,969 vs. $22,387).

AU vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU 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 AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 20 points higher than at AU (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

AU vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU 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 Anderson University's (48%).
• Graduates from Sweet Briar College earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Anderson University graduates have a $138 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($26,862 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 60%)

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.