UofSC vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia 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 South Carolina Columbia 19:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

UofSC vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC 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 UofSC ($21,322 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 11.1% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($13,534 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 106.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $13,472 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at UofSC than at Sweet Briar College (about $9,812 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 213.6% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($22,387 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UofSC 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 UofSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (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 South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

UofSC vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC 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).

• The graduation rate at UofSC is the same as at Sweet Briar College (70% vs. 70%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC 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.