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Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar, VA·Private nonprofit·463 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 463 students.

72%
Accept
463
Students
$23,383
Net Price
48%
Grad Rate
$43,500
Earnings
10 yr
$21,000
Debt

About This School

Sweet Briar College is a private nonprofit institution located in Sweet Briar, Virginia with approximately 463 undergraduate students enrolled. Sweet Briar College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 72%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,383 per year. The graduation rate is 48%, and the typical graduate earns $43,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

Sweet Briar College is a private women's liberal arts college in Sweet Briar, Amherst County, Virginia, United States. It was established in 1901 by Indiana Fletcher Williams in memory of her deceased daughter, Daisy. The college formally opened its doors in 1906 and granted the B.A. degree for the first time in 1910.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 48% graduation rate is a real red flag, meaning fewer than half of students who start here actually finish, and with median earnings of $43,500 a decade out, you'll want to be confident the degree justifies the investment. On the positive side, the relatively low median debt at graduation ($21,000) and a net price around $23,383/year make this one of the more affordable small women's colleges, and the intimate 463-student environment genuinely suits certain learners. Worth considering if you're drawn to a tight-knit, single-sex liberal arts experience and have a clear academic plan — but dig hard into why so many students leave before finishing.

Founded
1901
Setting
Fringe rural

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing15%
Biological Sciences13%
Psychology13%
Social Sciences10%
Engineering8%
Visual & Performing Arts8%
Education7%
English7%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Diana MuldaurKitty JoynerSally Miller GearhartMolly Haskell

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1227
Reading 75th %ile670
Math 75th %ile640

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite25

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$25,110
Out-of-State Tuition
$25,110
Avg Net Price
$23,383
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants31%
Median debt at graduation$21,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
48%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
77%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$21,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$21,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$33,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.1x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White68%
Black9%
Hispanic/Latino5%
Asian3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (463 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Sweet Briar College

134 Chapel Drive

Sweet Briar, VA 24595-9998

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Virginia

Browse all Virginia schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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