Kentucky vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Kentucky 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 Kentucky 18:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Kentucky vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 Kentucky ($21,322 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 4.9% lower than at University of Kentucky ($15,230 vs. $16,016).
• Sweet Briar College is 93.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $12,658 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at Kentucky than at Sweet Briar College (about $7,980 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at University of Kentucky (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 73.6% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($22,387 vs. $12,898).

Kentucky vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 30 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Kentucky vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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 University of Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($22,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($235 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 62%)

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.