ECU vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• East 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: East Carolina University 17:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

ECU vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU 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 East Carolina University than Sweet Briar College ($13,755 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 24.2% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($11,541 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 255.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $18,799 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at Sweet Briar College than at East Carolina University (about $2,522 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at East Carolina University (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 129% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($22,387 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU 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 ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 50 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Sweet Briar College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

ECU vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU 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 East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 63%)

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.