Elon vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Elon vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($21,322 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 1.6% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($14,985 vs. $15,230).
• Elon University is 79.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $20,798 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.5% higher at Elon than at Sweet Briar College (about $20,798 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Elon University (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 25.3% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($22,387 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is the same as at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Elon vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Sweet Briar College's (70%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.