Roanoke College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Roanoke College is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (1,804 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Roanoke College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Roanoke College 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 Roanoke College ($21,322 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 0.9% lower than at Roanoke College ($15,230 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 45.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $11,908 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.5% higher at Roanoke College than at Sweet Briar College (about $11,908 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($28,188 vs. $22,387).

Roanoke College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Roanoke College 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 Roanoke College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 10 points higher than at Roanoke College (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 1090/1300; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Roanoke College - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Roanoke College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Roanoke College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Roanoke College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Roanoke College 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 Roanoke College's (69%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sweet Briar College and Roanoke College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Sweet Briar College and Roanoke College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.