CofC vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

CofC vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC 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 College of Charleston than Sweet Briar College ($21,004 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 5.9% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($14,332 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 101.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $13,182 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.4% higher at CofC than at Sweet Briar College (about $12,136 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at College of Charleston (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 149.2% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($22,387 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC 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 CofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 20 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

CofC vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC 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 College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC 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.