Sweet Briar College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 444 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sweet Briar College is located in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sweet Briar College 9:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Sweet Briar College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sweet Briar College or VCU? 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 VCU ($21,322 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 16.6% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,230 vs. $18,254).
• Sweet Briar College is 54.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $9,215 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.3% higher at VCU than at Sweet Briar College (about $13,949 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 57.8% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($22,387 vs. $14,186).

Sweet Briar College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sweet Briar College or VCU? 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 VCU and Sweet Briar College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 70 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Sweet Briar College 1100/1310; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresVirginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sweet Briar College - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman VCU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at Sweet Briar College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Sweet Briar College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sweet Briar College and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 56%)

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.