Old Dominion vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Old Dominion University is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Old Dominion University 13:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Old Dominion vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Old Dominion 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 Old Dominion University than Sweet Briar College ($16,419 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Old Dominion University are 2.3% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($14,878 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 105.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $13,410 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at Old Dominion than at Sweet Briar College (about $7,620 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Old Dominion University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 90.7% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($22,387 vs. $11,740).

Old Dominion vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Old Dominion 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 Old Dominion.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 20 points higher than at Old Dominion (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 1100/1280; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Old Dominion - Test-free; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Old Dominion vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Old Dominion vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Old Dominion 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 Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 53%)

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.