SVU vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Virginia University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (936 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Virginia University is located in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Virginia University 14:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

SVU vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SVU 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 SVU ($21,322 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 35% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($9,894 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 22.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $4,880 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at Sweet Briar College than at Southern Virginia University (about $4,880 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 123% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($22,387 vs. $10,041).

SVU vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SVU 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 SVU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 110 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Virginia University 943/1253; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SVU - Test-free; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at SVU vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

SVU vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SVU 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 Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Sweet Briar College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU 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.