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Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar, VA · Rural · 443 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$17,758
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
50%
Graduation rate
69% typical
$51,943
Earnings 10 years on
$58,391 typical
76%
Acceptance rate
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Nestled on a scenic 2,840-acre campus in the Blue Ridge foothills, Sweet Briar College is a private women’s liberal arts institution best known for its empowering leadership curriculum and nationally renowned equestrian program. Academically, the college stands out for offering one of only two ABET-accredited engineering degrees at a women’s college in the United States, alongside strong programs in environmental science, business, and pre-veterinary studies. The student experience is centered around a close-knit, tradition-rich sisterhood that values hands-on learning, supported by unique campus resources like a working apiary, vineyards, and a 26,000-square-foot agricultural greenhouse.

Wikipedia: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, and began holding classes in 1906. Sweet Briar is known for its campus with its historic Georgian Revival architecture by Ralph Adams Cram and its 3,250 acres (13.2 km2) of hills, forests, and fields.

Location
Sweet Briar, VA, 24595-9998 · Rural campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RIC · Richmond
97 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$26,160
Housing & food (on campus)$15,230
Books & supplies$1,400
Cost of attendance$48,300
Average net price$17,758
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$26,160
Housing & food (on campus)$15,230
Books & supplies$1,400
Cost of attendance$48,300
Average net price$17,758
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.sbc.edu
How it’s made up
Tuition$29,740
Fees$1,600
Books & supplies$1,400
Personal expenses$1,500
Total published by the school$48,300
Source: www.sbc.edu
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$11,734
$30–48k
$12,568
$48–75k
$15,247
$75–110k
$20,188
$110k+
$24,710
Grants from the school
96% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $18,607
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
50%
Within 4 yrs
44%
Back for yr 2
69%
Transferred
19%
Pell students: 48.4% · others: 53.2% 
8 yrs after starting
58% graduated · 20% transferred · 22% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$35,533
10 yrs after entry$51,943
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$6k–$31k
90th percentile$41,000
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
76%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1230
R 560–670 · M 540–640
ACT midpoint
25
SAT middle 50%: 1100–1310
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: women 75.5% 
Yield: 13.2% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Sweet Briar College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 0%Women 100%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
9 : 1
Pell grant
31%
First-gen
23%
Family income
$41,827
Independent
10%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
1%
Where first-years come from
In state (VA)
47.6%
Out of state
51.6%
International
0.8%

Most out-of-state first-years from: NC 14 · CA 5 · MD 5 · DE 3 · FL 3

Race & ethnicity
White
70%
Hispanic
6%
Black
8%
Asian
3%
Two or more
1%
Non-resident
9%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$35,533
After 10 yrs
$51,943
Business/Commerce, General11
Natural Resources Conservation and Research9
Biology, General9
Psychology, General9
Engineering Science6
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods5
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies5
Political Science and Government4
Fine and Studio Arts4
History3
Archeology2
Visual and Performing Arts, General2
Mathematics1
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other1
Philosophy1
Economics1
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$70M
Full-time faculty
62%
Faculty salary
$6,914/mo
Teaching spend
$22,377
per student
Federal loans
47%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Sweet Briar College is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
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