WCU vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

WCU vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU 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 WCU ($21,322 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 2.6% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($14,828 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 142.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $15,385 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at Sweet Briar College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $3,561 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 292.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($22,387 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU 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 WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 20 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

WCU vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.