Messiah University vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Messiah University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Messiah University vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University 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 Messiah University ($21,322 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 14% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($13,098 vs. $15,230).
• Messiah University is 61.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $16,080 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.5% higher at Messiah University than at Sweet Briar College (about $16,080 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($26,576 vs. $22,387).

Messiah University vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Messiah University 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 Messiah University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 20 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Messiah University has a higher acceptance rate (79%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Messiah University vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University 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).

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Sweet Briar College's (70%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $1,011 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($25,989 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.