Rider University vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Rider University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (4,003 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rider University is located in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rider University 14:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Rider University vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider 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 Rider University ($21,322 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 11.6% lower than at Rider University ($15,230 vs. $17,230).
• Rider University is 57.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $14,960 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.2% higher at Rider University than at Sweet Briar College (about $14,960 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 30.9% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($29,294 vs. $22,387).

Rider University vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rider University (1210) is the same as at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 1100/1320; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rider University - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Rider University (3.41).
• Rider University has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Rider University vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Rider University vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rider 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 Rider University's (63%).
• Graduates from Rider University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rider University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Rider University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.