Principia vs Sweet Briar
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
Principia CollegeElsah, ILCatholic life on campusSweet Briar CollegeSweet Briar, VACatholic life on campus
At a glance
- Principia has the higher graduation rate: 74% against 52% at Sweet Briar.
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Elsah, IL
Sweet Briar, VA
Setting
Rural
Rural
Students
338
464
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
76%
Average SAT
1230
Graduation rate
74%
52%
First-year retention
83%
69%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$17,758
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$11,734
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$12,568
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$15,247
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$20,188
Net price, over $110,000 income
$24,710
Median debt
$27,000
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$51,943
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.