UD vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Delaware in Newark, DE with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Delaware is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Delaware is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Delaware 16:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

UD vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD 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 University of Delaware than Sweet Briar College ($19,139 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 1% lower than at University of Delaware ($15,230 vs. $15,386).
• Sweet Briar College is 55.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UD (about $9,350 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $16,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at UD than at Sweet Briar College (about $15,240 more per year; $41,400.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at University of Delaware (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 68.3% larger than aid received by University of Delaware students ($22,387 vs. $13,302).

UD vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD 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 UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Delaware (1280) is 70 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than UD (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

UD vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD 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).

• University of Delaware's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Sweet Briar College's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Delaware earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Delaware graduates have a $2,797 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($24,203 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UD graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More UD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.