Randolph-Macon vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Randolph Macon College is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Randolph Macon College is located in Ashland, VA (Large Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Randolph Macon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Randolph Macon College 11:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Randolph-Macon vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Randolph-Macon 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 Randolph-Macon ($21,322 vs. $28,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph Macon College are 4.5% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($14,540 vs. $15,230).
• Randolph Macon College is 89.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $23,306 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.1% higher at Randolph-Macon than at Sweet Briar College (about $23,306 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph Macon College than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph Macon College students is 56.2% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($34,972 vs. $22,387).

Randolph-Macon vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Randolph-Macon 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 Randolph-Macon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 110 points higher than at Randolph-Macon (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph Macon College 980/1220; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph Macon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Randolph-Macon - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Randolph-Macon Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Randolph-Macon students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Randolph-Macon has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.9% at Randolph-Macon vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Randolph-Macon vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Randolph-Macon 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 Randolph Macon College's (60%).
• Graduates from Randolph Macon College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sweet Briar College and Randolph-Macon graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Sweet Briar College and Randolph-Macon graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Randolph-Macon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 72%)

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.