Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Sweet Briar College at a Glance
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.
1901
125 years old
$74M
$73.9 million (2017)
460
74
2,840 acres
Identity
Is Sweet Briar College Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Sweet Briar College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,943 — 3% below average — while paying $17,758/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 52% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Sweet Briar College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Sweet Briar College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #10 of 47 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #3 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Oakland City University | 48 | $15,210 | $43,283 |
| #6 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #10 | Sweet Briar College | 37 | $17,758 | $51,943 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Sweet Briar College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in VA.
Best Programs at Sweet Briar College
The highest-earning program at Sweet Briar College is Business/Commerce, General at $37,500/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business/Commerce, General graduate from Sweet Briar College earns $37,500, while a Business/Commerce, General graduate earns $37,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business/Commerce, General graduates carry $21,000 in median debt vs. $21,000 for Business/Commerce, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,758/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | $37,500 | $37,500 | $21,000 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Sweet Briar, VA
- Student Body
- 443 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,758
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,943
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000