Sweet Briar College Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Sweet Briar College is a private research university in Sweet Briar, Virginia, enrolling about 443 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 75.54% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $51,943 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $26,160
- 2024 Average Net Price: $17,758 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 75.54% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 443 99.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 51.82%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 23.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 6.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 15.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 61.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1230
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 448
- Applicants (IPEDS): 1,136
- Room & Board: $15,230 annual estimate
Sweet Briar College: what the data shows
Common questions about Sweet Briar College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Sweet Briar College?
Sweet Briar College is located in Sweet Briar, VA (ZIP 24595-9998).
Is Sweet Briar College public or private?
Sweet Briar College is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Sweet Briar College cost?
Published tuition: $26,160.
Average net price after aid: $17,758.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,734 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,568 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,247 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $20,188 |
| $110,001+ | $24,710 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $104,640.
How hard is it to get into Sweet Briar College?
Admission rate: 75.54%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1230 and midpoint ACT 25.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Sweet Briar College?
Total enrollment: 443 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 448 students.
About 99% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Sweet Briar College?
150%-time completion rate: 51.82%.
First-year retention: 69.3%.
What do graduates of Sweet Briar College earn?
Median earnings: $35,533 six years after entry; $51,943 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
31.03% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Sweet Briar College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (17 completions)
- Psychology, General (14 completions)
- Business/Commerce, General (12 completions)
- Engineering Science (11 completions)
- Creative Writing (11 completions)
- Mathematics, General (9 completions)
- History, General (8 completions)
- Art/Art Studies, General (7 completions)
- Environmental Science (6 completions)
- Archeology (6 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Sweet Briar College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 75.54%; completion rate 51.82%; median earnings $51,943 at 10 years; net price $17,758. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$26,160
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Sweet Briar College was $26,160.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$17,758
2024 Value
In 2024 Sweet Briar College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,758.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$71,032 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$17,758 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$104,640 4-Year Tuition
$15,230 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,400 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$42,790 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$171,160 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Sweet Briar College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
31.03% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
46.55% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Sweet Briar College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Sweet Briar College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $33,605 | $33,605 | $24,611 |
| 2014 | $34,935 | $34,935 | $23,355 |
| 2015 | $34,935 | $34,935 | $24,606 |
| 2016 | $36,425 | $36,425 | $25,240 |
| 2017 | $37,155 | $37,155 | $21,291 |
| 2018 | $21,000 | $21,000 | $22,672 |
| 2019 | $22,020 | $22,020 | $25,039 |
| 2020 | $22,700 | $22,700 | $23,783 |
| 2021 | $23,080 | $23,080 | $19,661 |
| 2022 | $23,590 | $23,590 | $27,635 |
| 2023 | $25,110 | $25,110 | $23,383 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
75.54% Acceptance Rate
1,136 Total Applicants
815 Students Admitted
138 First-Time Students Enrolled
16.93% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1230
ACT Average: 25
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Sweet Briar College reported total enrollment of about 443 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 0% male and 100% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (70.2%), Non-Resident Alien (8.6%), and Black or African American (8.3%). About 31.03% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 23.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
99.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Sweet Briar College in 2024 is 443 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 448 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
69.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 70.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
43.64% 100% Completion Time
51.82% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 43.64% of students graduating from Sweet Briar College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 0% male / 100% female
- Psychology, General: 0% male / 100% female
- Business/Commerce, General: 0% male / 100% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Sweet Briar College.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$51,943 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
51.98% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
631.26% Return on Investment
5.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Sweet Briar College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 18 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 17 completions
2. Psychology, General: 14 completions
3. Business/Commerce, General: 12 completions
4. Engineering Science: 11 completions
5. Creative Writing: 11 completions
6. Mathematics, General: 9 completions
7. History, General: 8 completions
8. Art/Art Studies, General: 7 completions
9. Environmental Science: 6 completions
Most popular programs at Sweet Briar College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Sweet Briar College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Sweet Briar College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 61.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,914
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $22,377
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Sweet Briar College is a private non-profit institution located in Sweet Briar, VA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Psychology, General, Business/Commerce, General. Enrollment is approximately 443 students. Student body composition includes White (70.2%), Non-Resident Alien (8.6%), Black or African American (8.3%). The admission rate is 75.54%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1230. The 150%-time completion rate is 51.82%. Approximately 31.03% of students receive Pell Grants. About 23.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Sweet Briar, VA 24595-9998
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Sweet Briar College provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sweet Briar College located?
Sweet Briar College is located in Sweet Briar, VA.
What is Sweet Briar College's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Sweet Briar College is 75.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 1,136 applicants and 815 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Sweet Briar College cost?
Reported tuition is $26,160 and average net price is $17,758 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $15,230 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Sweet Briar College?
Sweet Briar College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 448 students, White (70.2%), Non-Resident Alien (8.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Sweet Briar College?
About 23.2% of students at Sweet Briar College are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Sweet Briar College?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Sweet Briar College reports midpoint SAT about 1230 and midpoint ACT about 25.
What do graduates of Sweet Briar College earn?
Median earnings are $35,533 six years after entry and $51,943 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Sweet Briar College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 51.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Sweet Briar College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is Sweet Briar College public or private?
Sweet Briar College is a private nonprofit institution located in Sweet Briar, VA.
Is Sweet Briar College an HBCU?
No. Sweet Briar College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Sweet Briar College a tribal college?
No. Sweet Briar College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Virginia college costs
- Virginia colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Virginia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.