Westminster College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Westminster College is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (1,191 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westminster College is located in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westminster College 12:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Westminster College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westminster College 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 Westminster College than Sweet Briar College ($20,394 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 15.4% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($12,880 vs. $15,230).
• Westminster College is 54% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $14,130 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54% higher at Westminster College than at Sweet Briar College (about $14,130 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 45.4% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($32,553 vs. $22,387).

Westminster College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westminster College 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 Westminster College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 60 points higher than at Westminster College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 1040/1258; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westminster College - Test-free; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Westminster College has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Westminster College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Westminster College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westminster College 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Sweet Briar College's (70%).
• Graduates from Westminster College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sweet Briar College and Westminster College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Sweet Briar College and Westminster College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.