Founded in 1901, Sweet Briar College. is a Private college. Located in Virginia, which is a city setting in Virginia, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 365 full time undergraduate students, and 11 full time graduate students.
The Sweet Briar College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 5:1. There are 62 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Sweet Briar College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
93%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
40
SAT Range
880-1180
ACT Range
18-27
Admissions at SBC are considered Less Selective, with ,16% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 14 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
82% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 50% were in the top quarter, and 20% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Sweet Briar College.
0%
“We”re apathetic”
13%
“We know about current events and vote”
88%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
13%
“Sometimes, but not often”
63%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
100%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
38%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
13%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
50%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
38%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
13%
“They keep regular office hours”
88%
“They”re always available”
75%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
13%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
13%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
13%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
88%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
25%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
75%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
13%
“We know about current events and vote”
88%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
13%
“Sometimes, but not often”
63%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
100%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
38%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
13%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
50%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
38%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
13%
“They keep regular office hours”
88%
“They”re always available”
75%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
13%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
13%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
34 Students rated on-campus housing 4 stars. 9 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
17 Students rated off-campus housing 1.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
34 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
34 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 41 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
34 Students rated class size 4.9 stars. 85 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
34 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 47 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
34 Students rated local services 3.1 stars. 9 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
34 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.
Sweet Briar College REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Sweet Briar College?
19 Students rated Sweet Briar College
Ayla
05/07/2024
Sweet Briar College epitomizes the perfect blend of academic excellence and a profound appreciation for equestrian pursuits. Situated amidst the serene countryside of Virginia, its tranquil setting fosters a strong sense of community and academic rigor. As an ardent admirer of equine companionship, Sweet Briar's esteemed equestrian program holds a special allure for me, offering a unique opportunity to refine my horsemanship skills alongside pursuing a comprehensive education. The campus's historic charm, accentuated by its lush greenery and modern equestrian facilities, creates an inspiring environment conducive to both personal and intellectual growth.
Beyond its scenic beauty, Sweet Briar College boasts a culture of inclusivity and support, where faculty and peers alike are dedicated to nurturing each student's potential. The rigorous academic curriculum is complemented by a plethora of extracurricular opportunities, ranging from competitive riding to equine-assisted therapy programs, enriching the collegiate experience and fostering holistic development.
Moreover, Sweet Briar's commitment to empowering women extends beyond the classroom, instilling values of resilience, leadership, and independence. Through hands-on experiences in equine care, training, and competition, students emerge not only as proficient equestrians but also as confident and empowered individuals ready to navigate the world's complexities beyond graduation.
Sweet Briar College is more than just an institution; it's a transformative journey—a sanctuary where academic pursuits and equestrian passions converge to shape the leaders, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow. It's a place where dreams take flight, fueled by the unwavering spirit of its community and the timeless bond between horse and rider.
Alice
12/02/2022
I really like it! I've met lots of cool people and my classes are fun and interesting. I also like that there's a variety of sports/activities to try out. There aren't a whole lot of clubs but anyone can create one. Most of the dorms are pretty good, and I like the food which is impressive because I'm a very picky eater. I'm glad I picked this school.
Ashley
01/06/2022
Not a good school. The management is completely disconnected from the students and campus life, which leads them to frequently make poor decisions that harm students. They put all their time and money into bringing in new students, but do nothing for us once we're here. They add shiny new features to show off to parents, while we have mold in our buildings and no hot water.
Everyone comes here with high hopes, but ends up hating the school within a year. The only students who stay are ones who feel they can't transfer, for monetary, academic, or other reasons. Don't let them fool you and end up stuck here too.
Kaelyn
02/04/2021
The perfect school if you are searching for a small class size, private college. Also must enjoy the idea of it being all girls. The staff is very friendly and all the students I have met seem to be super nice. The dorms are great and well kept and the food is amazing.
Baylee
02/16/2020
Sweet Briar was the best choice I ever made for my education. Any woman who wants a life-changing experience, look no further. At Sweet Briar, the faculty know your name and do whatever they can to help you become the most successful and reach your goals.
Tomori
02/12/2020
SBC needs public transportation access. We would have a better university experience if we could come and go as we please. Taxis are extremely expensive, and the malls and movie theatres are in another town. We are too isolated. More off-campus housing options and support for families.
The campus is really beautiful. Not many people use the library and I mean "library" Most campuses have severy libraries but we have only one. It is a shame because they thought of everything. We have the best dean (she came from Vassar) and the president is awesome and sophisticated, but approachable. SBC is click=ish and a bit gossipy. But still beautiful.
Brittney
02/04/2020
I feel like Sweet Briar College is the best when it comes to finding something to do on the campus because we have such a wide area of acreage on the campus. We have so many trails on the the 3,250 acre campus. Also, I love the campus because it has students, coaches, and professors that care more for everyone else's health and not just their own. They also give it their best when trying to help students with stress management and academics.
Hannah
01/23/2020
Sweet Briar is a great school but it is very small. The sense of community here is incredible and everyone wants to see you exceed. The class sizes are great but the the options for classes to take are very limited. The food options are extremely limited and food is well below par. There is also little near campus so having a car or having a friend with a car is pretty much essential. Campus is beautiful, professors are great, riding center is fantastic.
Ji
12/08/2019
.
Havana
12/07/2019
Beautiful Campus. Great Historic Buildings. Interesting Library.
Ashleigh
11/14/2019
Sweet briar is a perfect learning environment. There are a lot of really nice people and everyone is very friendly. Most classes are very small with great, engaging professors. The food is good and there is always a choice available. Living on campus is very convenient. Sweet Briar is a very rural campus with beautiful sites to see. Security is pretty tight at night. Not much partying on campus.
Jennifer
06/17/2019
Sweet Briar College is among the best in its category: a liberal arts college for women. (Although, in recent years they began accepting male students). For women who want to cultivate their leadership skills, Sweet Briar College is a college that offers students that opportunity. The academics are rigorous, the campus is rural, but beautiful. SBC has 2 lakes 1 boat house, tennis courts, field hockey courts, a swimming pool, and a riding center. For women who want to board their horses, SBC is ideal. The classes are small and when I was there it had a "family type vibe/atmosphere". Most people were absolutely lovely. Many of us created custom- designed majors. There is a solid study abroad program. Our Alumnae Network is outstanding...
Catharine
03/23/2019
I feel that there is definitely room to improve, but the faculty genuinely care about the students here. You have to push for what you need as far as Financial Aid goes, but if you ask for help, you will receive help. Yes, it's an all girls school, so there will be drama. If you stay out of it and stay friendly, it won't touch you and it won't hurt you.
Danielle
07/02/2018
I am not currently living at Sweet Briar College, but I have visited and toured the campus. I am currently enrolled for the upcoming fall semester, and I am very excited! Everyone at the college is so nice, and they make you feel right at home. The professors I talked to were very professional and seemed to love being available to their students 24/7. I loved visiting Sweet Briar, and it was an easy choice for me to pick it as my future college.
Kristina
10/30/2017
I think Sweet Briar is an amazing school. The teachers here are ready to help you any way they can and with such small classes that makes it better. The only complaints I have are the following:
1.The school is not that diverse but the school is working to fix that.
2.Due to the location of the school, you are not able to leave campus without a car so a lot of people carpool.
3. Some girls come from rich families so they tend to not be able to do small things such as (laundry or cleaning their own dishes etc.) which causes problems if all the laundry machines are taken or the hall sink is full.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Sweet Briar College is 93%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
When I turned thirteen I told myself all my dreams could come true, and they certainly are (slowly but surely). Think about what you want most out of life and, I think you'll find right now "it's the whole world." So do it. Apply abroad, look at schools based on their study abroad opportunities. In the long run I wouldn't do anything differently. This was my chance to travel the world, and I did; for three semesters. The school I chose gave me that, a dream research opportunity, and a fantastic internship. Sure, there was drama and hardships but what all-girls school wouldn't? I made the transition just fine, I am a great person and I am actively improving myself. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
The opportunities, absolutely. I've had the opportunity to study abroad and experience the world and in doing so I've come to appreciate the small, tight-knit community that Sweet Briar has. The classes are the perfect size and the professors are genuinely concerned with how you can become the best academic (and individual) you can be. ...The professors are probably the best I could have hoped for as well, they're absolutely willing to help you one-on-one and are willing to give you as much attention as needed to ensure your understanding.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I had known more about their engineering department. Their engineering department was taking a turn from General Engineering to Robotics and does't have enough dedicated professors to make the program work. In a few years I think the program will be up to par but right now it is scattered.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The campus is extremely isolated, to get around you really need a car or know someone with a car to get around. That said, most people do have a car and in general people are very will to help one another out.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
I ended up choosing Sweet Briar for its small size, and because it was an all-woman's college. I liked sense of power that the school instills in women; it focuses on preparing young women for their future, and had a higher job-placement rate than any other school I looked at.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I brag about everything: how pretty it is, how great the professors are, how the small the classes, how good the food, how cool the people are, how GREAT the riding program is, how intensely loyal and dedicated the alumni are... This school is the total package and I want everyone to know about it.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
100% of students attending Sweet Briar College receive some sort of financial aid.
38% were awarded federal grants.67%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.