Methodist vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Methodist University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (1,822 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Methodist vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Methodist 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 Methodist ($21,322 vs. $26,334).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Methodist University are 6.4% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($14,250 vs. $15,230).
• Methodist University is 57.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $15,090 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.7% higher at Methodist than at Sweet Briar College (about $15,090 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Methodist University than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Methodist University students is 31.7% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($29,476 vs. $22,387).

Methodist vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Methodist 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 Methodist.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 40 points higher than at Methodist (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Methodist University 1080/1250; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Methodist University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Methodist - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Methodist students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Methodist (75.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Methodist vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Methodist vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Methodist 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 Methodist University's (39%).
• Graduates from Methodist University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sweet Briar College and Methodist graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Sweet Briar College and Methodist 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 Methodist students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 49%)

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.