Sweet Briar College vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (1,853 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sweet Briar College is located in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sweet Briar College 9:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Sweet Briar College vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sweet Briar College or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Sweet Briar College ($21,267 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 21.7% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($11,930 vs. $15,230).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 43.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $11,340 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.3% higher at VWC than at Sweet Briar College (about $11,340 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($29,923 vs. $22,387).

Sweet Briar College vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sweet Briar College 1100/1310; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sweet Briar College - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at VWC (3.39).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at Sweet Briar College vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Sweet Briar College vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sweet Briar College and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates of Sweet Briar College and VWC have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $41,700), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Wesleyan University and Sweet Briar College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Wesleyan University and Sweet Briar College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 57%)

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.