Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Sweet Briar, Virginia
71.7% Acceptance Rate
Sweet Briar College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
71.7%Acceptance Rate
3.54Avg GPA
1227Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$41,832Annual Cost
$51,943Grad Salary
31.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
71.7%
Avg GPA
3.54
Avg SAT
1227
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1100–1310
ACT Middle 50%
21–27
Need-Based Aid
31.3% receive Pell
Sweet Briar College is a private, selective liberal arts college for women in Virginia known for its historic commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and character formation. With its beautiful campus and focus on close student-faculty collaboration, the college provides a formative and highly selective educational experience. Its strong tradition of empowering women for success in a variety of fields makes it an elite choice for those seeking a traditional and transformative liberal arts education.
Sweet Briar College Acceptance Rate
Sweet Briar College takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 71.7% each year.
What Sweet Briar College Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 71.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.09
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Sweet Briar College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Sweet Briar College (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 81 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 1
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
February 15
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Sweet Briar College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Sweet Briar College is 3.54. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.24 and 3.54? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.74–3.94.Sweet Briar College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.14 – 3.33
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.13
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- One of only two ABET-accredited engineering programs at a women's college nationally; UVA/Virginia Tech dual master's pathway established 2023
- Nearly closed in 2015; saved by an alumnae-led legal and fundraising effort; tuition cut by a third in 2017, majors reduced from 42 to 17
- As of August 2024, admissions policy requires applicants to confirm their sex assigned at birth was female - upheld by a 2024 court ruling
- Enrollment (~440-460 students) remains well below the pre-2015 peak of over 700; ask directly about current enrollment and financial trajectory
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Sweet Briar College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Sweet Briar College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Sweet Briar College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Sweet Briar College. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Sweet Briar College Without SAT or ACT?
Sweet Briar College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Sweet Briar College Average SAT Score: 1227
Admitted students at Sweet Briar College average a 1227 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1227 — Slightly Competitive
A 1227 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1310 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Sweet Briar College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1100? A retake is worth it at Sweet Briar College. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 590 | 540 | 640 |
| SAT Reading | 615 | 560 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1227 | 1100 | 1310 |
A score under 1100 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1310+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Sweet Briar College with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in Sweet Briar College's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Sweet Briar College ACT Requirements
Sweet Briar College's admitted students average an ACT of 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 24 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 25 | 20 | 29 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 21 | 27 |
Can I get into Sweet Briar College with a 27 ACT?
At 27, you're in the top quarter of Sweet Briar College's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Sweet Briar College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Sweet Briar College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Sweet Briar College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Target the Only-Two-in-the-Nation ABET Engineering Program Explicitly
Sweet Briar has one of just two ABET-accredited engineering programs at a women's college nationally, and now offers a public-private pathway letting students begin graduate coursework toward a master's with the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech while still an undergraduate (established 2023). A student interested in engineering should name this dual-track option specifically in their application and ask admissions directly how early they can start UVA/Virginia Tech coursework, since the college is actively trying to double this program's size and is motivated to recruit strong candidates into it.
Understand This Is Now a Recovery-and-Reinvention Story, Not "the Old Sweet Briar"
Sweet Briar nearly closed in 2015 and was saved by a historic alumnae fundraising and legal effort; since then it cut tuition by a third, reduced majors from 42 to 17, and rebuilt around a Women's Leadership Core curriculum and intensive three-week terms. A family should understand they are choosing the "new" Sweet Briar - leaner, reinvented, and enrollment still recovering (currently around 440?460 students, well below the pre-2015 peak of over 700) - and should ask directly about current-year enrollment and financial stability rather than relying on decades-old reputation.
Confirm the Gender-Eligibility Policy Directly if Relevant to the Applicant
As of August 2024, Sweet Briar's admissions policy states that an applicant is eligible if she confirms her sex assigned at birth was female. Given this is a specific, current, and legally tested policy (upheld in a 2024 court ruling), any family for whom this is relevant should read the college's own admissions policy language directly rather than relying on secondhand summaries, since this is a defining eligibility criterion unique to Sweet Briar among most remaining women's colleges.
Use the Fly-In Reimbursement Program to Visit Before Committing
Sweet Briar offers a Fly-In Reimbursement Program covering travel costs for the applicant and one parent to visit campus, available to domestic high school juniors, seniors, and transfer students. Given the campus's rural location and distinctive culture (equestrian program, vineyard, 2,847 acres), a family should use this program to visit in person before committing, rather than deciding based on marketing materials alone - campus reviews are notably split between "loved it" and "wish I'd visited first."
Expert Insight:
Student reviews are sharply split on infrastructure and academic consistency - some cite mold, heating issues, and high faculty turnover (particularly in math), while others praise the close-knit community and equestrian/engineering programs specifically. Given the college's recent financial history, a family should ask pointed, current questions about facilities maintenance and faculty retention in the student's specific intended major, rather than assuming uniform quality across departments.
Sweet Briar College Profile
Full Name
Sweet Briar College
City
Sweet Briar
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
24595-9998
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Sweet Briar College Degree Worth It?
At $41,832/year against a $51,943 median graduate salary, Sweet Briar College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $72,900, and graduates see a 2.71% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Sweet Briar College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $41,832/year at Sweet Briar College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Sweet Briar College, 31.3% receive a Pell Grant and 50.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Sweet Briar College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Sweet Briar College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Sweet Briar College graduates report a median income of $51,943, about 28% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Sweet Briar College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Sweet Briar College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Sweet Briar College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Sweet Briar College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Sweet Briar College Admissions
Sweet Briar College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $51,943/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Sweet Briar College is moderate, around $41,832/year; many students supplement with aid.
31.3% of Sweet Briar College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Sweet Briar College's acceptance rate is 71.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Sweet Briar College students is 3.54, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.24 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Sweet Briar College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.14 or below makes admission tougher at Sweet Briar College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Sweet Briar College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1227, and within the 1100–1310 range, keeps you competitive.
Sweet Briar College's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 1.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's Sweet Briar College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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