Liberty University vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Liberty University 18:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Liberty University vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Liberty University 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 Liberty University ($21,322 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Liberty University are 9.2% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($13,835 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 16.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Liberty University (about $3,695 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Sweet Briar College than at Liberty University (about $3,695 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Liberty University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 79.3% larger than aid received by Liberty University students ($22,387 vs. $12,489).

Liberty University vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Liberty University 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 Liberty University.

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 60 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Liberty University 1040/1250; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Liberty University - Open admission; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Liberty University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.4% at Liberty University vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Liberty University vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Liberty University 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 Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from Sweet Briar College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($24,166 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($249 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 36%)

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.