Sweet Briar College vs Virginia Military Institute
Sweet Briar College is a private college in Sweet Briar, VA. Virginia Military Institute is a public institute in Lexington, VA. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants and Sweet Briar College about 76%, making Virginia Military Institute the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $17,113 a year at Virginia Military Institute after aid, and about $17,758 at Sweet Briar College. About 79% of students graduate at Virginia Military Institute, compared with 50% at Sweet Briar College. Ten years after enrolling, Virginia Military Institute alumni earn a median of about $77,369, against $51,943 for Sweet Briar College.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Sweet Briar, VA
Lexington, VA
Setting
Rural
Suburban
Undergraduates
443
1,527
Acceptance rate
76%
71%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–3.95
3.42–3.92
SAT (middle 50%)
1100–1310
1050–1270
ACT (middle 50%)
21–27
24–31
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,758
$17,113
Full cost / yr
$43,898
$34,824
In-state tuition
$26,160
$21,046
Out-of-state tuition
$26,160
$52,638
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,734
$12,697
$30k - $48k
$12,568
$9,246
$48k - $75k
$15,247
$12,162
$75k - $110k
$20,188
$13,385
Over $110k
$24,710
$23,434
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
79%
Freshman retention
69%
81%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$35,533
$63,545
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,943
$77,369
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$22,996
Student body
Pell grant recipients
31%
16%
First-generation students
23%
15%
International students
9%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Feb 1
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Sweet Briar College or Virginia Military Institute harder to get into?
- Virginia Military Institute is harder to get into. It admits about 71% of applicants, compared with 76% at Sweet Briar College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Sweet Briar College or Virginia Military Institute?
- Virginia Military Institute is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,113 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,758 at Sweet Briar College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Sweet Briar College and Virginia Military Institute?
- Before aid, Virginia Military Institute costs about $34,824 a year and Sweet Briar College about $43,898. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Sweet Briar College or Virginia Military Institute?
- Sweet Briar College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,734 there, against about $12,697 at Virginia Military Institute. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Sweet Briar College or Virginia Military Institute?
- Virginia Military Institute is the larger of the two, with about 1,527 undergraduates against 443 at Sweet Briar College.
- Does Sweet Briar College or Virginia Military Institute have a better graduation rate?
- Virginia Military Institute has the higher graduation rate, at about 79% against 50% at Sweet Briar College.
- Do graduates of Sweet Briar College or Virginia Military Institute earn more?
- Virginia Military Institute alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,369 ten years after enrolling, against about $51,943 for Sweet Briar College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Sweet Briar College and Virginia Military Institute require SAT or ACT scores?
- Sweet Briar College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Virginia Military Institute is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Sweet Briar College and Virginia Military Institute look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1100–1310 at Sweet Briar College and 1050–1270 at Virginia Military Institute. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Sweet Briar College vs Washington University of Science and TechnologySweet Briar College vs Hampden-Sydney CollegeSweet Briar College vs Bluefield UniversityVirginia Military Institute vs Washington and Lee UniversityVirginia Military Institute vs University of RichmondVirginia Military Institute vs University of Virginia's College at Wise
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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