Sweet Briar College vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

Compare Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Seattle Pacific University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sweet Briar College is located in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sweet Briar College 9:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Sweet Briar College vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sweet Briar College or SPU? 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 SPU ($21,322 vs. $25,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 7.6% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($15,230 vs. $16,491).
• Seattle Pacific University is 54.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $14,247 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.5% higher at SPU than at Sweet Briar College (about $14,247 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College as at Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 41% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($31,558 vs. $22,387).

Sweet Briar College vs. SPU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sweet Briar College or SPU? 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 SPU and Sweet Briar College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 20 points higher than at SPU (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sweet Briar College 1100/1310; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSeattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sweet Briar College - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at SPU (3.53).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at Sweet Briar College vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Sweet Briar College vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sweet Briar College and SPU? 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).

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Sweet Briar College's (70%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $1,397 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($25,603 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($264 vs. $279).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.