WCU vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; 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 Western Carolina University than Sweet Briar College ($13,767 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 18.9% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($12,354 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 465% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $21,530 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 203.1% higher at Sweet Briar College than at Western Carolina University (about $17,530 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Western Carolina University (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 273.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($22,387 vs. $5,993).

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 30 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% 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 Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Sweet Briar College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 58%)

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.