Sweet Briar College

School Overview

Sweet Briar College is located in Sweet Briar, VA, 24595. The university is ranked #164 among National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. It offers programs at the bachelor’s degree level, serving students with a range of academic interests and career aspirations.

Sweet Briar College has an acceptance rate of 70%, providing broad access to higher education and welcoming students from diverse academic backgrounds. Successful applicants typically present SAT scores of 1020-1350 and ACT scores of 19-28. The average high school GPA among enrolled freshmen is 3.4.

With just 441 undergraduates, Sweet Briar College provides an intimate academic setting where small class sizes and close faculty mentorship are central to the student experience. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:01, meaning professors are accessible for office hours, research mentorship, and one-on-one guidance. Approximately 85% of classes have fewer than 20 students, fostering the kind of seminar-style discussion and hands-on collaboration that deepens real understanding. The institution achieves a four-year graduation rate of 51%, a strong indicator that students receive the support they need to finish on time and move into their careers or further study.

The most popular fields of study at Sweet Briar College include Biology/Biological Sciences, General (20% of students), Psychology, General (16% of students), and Business/Commerce, General (14% of students, median early-career salary: $62,485). These enrollment patterns reflect the institution's strengths and the career interests of its student body, giving prospective students a clear sense of the academic culture and post-graduation opportunities available here.

The published tuition and fees are $27,680 per year. Room and board adds approximately $15,760. However, the average net price after financial aid is $27,635, which is the amount most aided students actually pay — often considerably less than the sticker price. Need-based aid averages $26,179 per recipient, demonstrating the institution's commitment to making education financially accessible. For families evaluating the return on a college investment, these figures — combined with Sweet Briar College's academic reputation and graduate outcomes — provide a concrete basis for comparison.

Choosing a college is one of the most significant decisions a student and family will make. Sweet Briar College combines nationally recognized academic quality, a favorable student-to-faculty ratio, a diverse range of popular programs to create an environment where students can grow intellectually, build professional skills, and form lasting connections. We encourage prospective students to explore the detailed data on this page to determine whether Sweet Briar College is the right fit for their academic and personal goals.