Howard vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Howard vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard ($21,322 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 12.1% lower than at Howard University ($15,230 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $9,650 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at Howard than at Sweet Briar College (about $9,650 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Howard University as at Sweet Briar College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 5.3% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($22,387 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is the same as at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Howard vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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 Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sweet Briar College and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Sweet Briar College and Howard 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 Howard students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 33%)

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.