Guilford College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Guilford College is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (1,180 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Guilford College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford 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 Guilford College ($21,322 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 12% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($13,400 vs. $15,230).
• Guilford College is 58.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $15,202 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.1% higher at Guilford College than at Sweet Briar College (about $15,202 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 49.3% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($33,419 vs. $22,387).

Guilford College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 20 points higher than at Guilford College (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Guilford College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford 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 Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from Sweet Briar College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Guilford College graduates have a $365 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($26,635 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Guilford College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 51%)

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.