Mary Washington College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mary Washington is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington 13:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Mary Washington College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington College ($21,322 vs. $21,800).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 6.4% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($14,250 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 78.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $11,520 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Mary Washington College than at Sweet Briar College (about $1,400 more per year; $27,560.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington as at Sweet Briar College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 113.4% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($22,387 vs. $10,491).

Mary Washington College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 60 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 1170/1370; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mary Washington College - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at Mary Washington College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Mary Washington College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Sweet Briar College's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Mary Washington College 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.