Tennessee vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is located in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Tennessee vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee 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 Tennessee ($21,322 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 12.3% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($13,356 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 89.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $12,348 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Tennessee than at Sweet Briar College (about $7,096 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 95.8% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($22,387 vs. $11,434).

Tennessee vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 80 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee - Required; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.4% at Tennessee vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Tennessee vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 69%)

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.