Westminster vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Westminster University in Salt Lake City, UT with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Westminster University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (1,155 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westminster University is located in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Westminster University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westminster University 8:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Westminster vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westminster 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 Westminster ($21,322 vs. $26,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster University are 22.2% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($11,844 vs. $15,230).
• Westminster University is 66.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $17,368 more per year; $43,528.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.4% higher at Westminster than at Sweet Briar College (about $17,368 more per year; $43,528.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster University than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster University students is 37.1% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($30,694 vs. $22,387).

Westminster vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westminster 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.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 20 points higher than at Westminster (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster University 1070/1310; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westminster - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Westminster students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Westminster (66.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Westminster vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Westminster vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westminster 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 Westminster University's (66%).
• Graduates from Westminster University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westminster University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Westminster graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Westminster graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.