Hollins College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Hollins University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (761 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hollins University is located in Roanoke, VA (Midsize Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Hollins University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hollins University 8:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Hollins College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hollins 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 Hollins College ($21,322 vs. $22,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 3.6% lower than at Hollins University ($15,230 vs. $15,800).
• Hollins University is 66.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $17,400 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.5% higher at Hollins College than at Sweet Briar College (about $17,400 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hollins University than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hollins University students is 61.5% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($36,154 vs. $22,387).

Hollins College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hollins University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hollins University 1150/1340; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hollins College - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hollins College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Hollins College (68%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Hollins College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Hollins College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hollins 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 Hollins University's (63%).
• Graduates from Sweet Briar College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Hollins College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sweet Briar College and Hollins College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Sweet Briar College and Hollins College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hollins College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 57%)

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.