ASU vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 444 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

ASU vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU 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 Appalachian State University than Sweet Briar College ($14,978 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 15.5% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($12,868 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 245.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $18,581 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Sweet Briar College than at Appalachian State University (about $948 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Appalachian State University (99% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 179.3% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($22,387 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Sweet Briar College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sweet Briar College and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 10 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman ASU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

ASU vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Sweet Briar College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from Sweet Briar College earn a median of about $100 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.