RU vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 444 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Radford University is located in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Radford University 14:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

RU vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RU 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 Radford University than Sweet Briar College ($16,749 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 17.9% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($12,504 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 108.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $13,612 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Sweet Briar College than at Radford University (about $527 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Radford University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 88.6% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($22,387 vs. $11,870).

RU vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RU or Sweet Briar College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sweet Briar College and RU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 160 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Radford University 940/1160; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RU - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at RU vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

RU vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RU and Sweet Briar College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Radford University's (56%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 70%)

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.