Carroll College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Carroll College in Helena, MT with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carroll College is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (1,156 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carroll College is located in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carroll College 12:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Carroll College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carroll College 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 Carroll College ($21,322 vs. $25,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll College are 24.2% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($11,548 vs. $15,230).
• Carroll College is 58.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $15,324 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at Carroll College than at Sweet Briar College (about $15,324 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carroll College than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll College students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($30,058 vs. $22,387).

Carroll College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carroll College 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 Carroll College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 30 points higher than at Carroll College (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 1050/1300; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carroll College - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carroll College Feb 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carroll College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Carroll College (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Carroll College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Carroll College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carroll College 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 Carroll College's (59%).
• Graduates from Carroll College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sweet Briar College and Carroll College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Sweet Briar College and Carroll College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carroll College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.