Quick Stats
Location : Sweet Briar, VA
Closest Big City/Airport : Lynchburg, VA
School Size : 457
Athletic Division : NCAA DIII
Athletic Conference : Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC)
Tuition & Fees : $23,590
Total Cost of Attendance : $37,840
Average Cost After Aid : $25,039
Percent of Financial Aid Need Met : 69%
Average High School GPA : 3.65
Average SAT Combined : 1264
Acceptance Rate : 75.9%
Popular Degrees : Business, Biology, Engineering, Creative Writing
Personal Tour Blog
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains roughly 20 minutes outside of Lynchburg, VA sits Sweet Briar College. It is home to just under 500 students and competes at the DIII level in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. A female-only campus, Sweet Briar focuses on leadership in every one of its majors. Where most colleges have fairly standard core curriculums, Sweet Briar places an emphasis on leadership and applying leadership qualities in professional settings. They truly aim to create the next generation of female leaders and showcase that in their degree planning. In one of the more unique aspects of the trip, I really enjoyed seeing the footprints of the dairy farm that used to exist on the Sweet Briar campus. The barn itself has been repurposed into an art building that boasts classrooms on the top floor of the building, with views that would inspire any artist. As of 2022, roughly 60% of the incoming freshman are entering as varsity athletes, so there is a strong athlete presence on campus. That said, Sweet Briar aims to create a balance for their students, and professors and coaches work to make sure you’re succeeding both on and off the court. Sweet Briar would be a fantastic fit for someone who enjoys the outdoors, as the miles of walking trails, mountainous terrain, and multiple outdoor opportunities on campus could keep you busy for the duration of your time in college. Sweet Briar also boasts some of the largest freshman dorm rooms I’ve ever seen and is actively renovating many buildings on campus. Lastly, Sweet Briar is known for its history with horses. With one of the best equestrian facilities in the country, Sweet Briar offers multiple jumping courses, multiple training grounds, and a newly renovated equestrian center available to both varsity athletes and students alike. While this college may have a few unique qualities like a single-gender student body and a small population, those may just be the unique qualities you’re looking for in your college experience!
Fun Facts
- Sweet Briar is one of only two all-women’s colleges to have an ABET-Accredited engineering program.
- Sweet Briar has over 18 miles of trails, 2 small lakes, and 2,840 acres of land to explore
Athlete Fun Fact
Sweet Briar is known for its riding program. It has multiple recent championships, award-winning coaches, and a brand-new equestrian center that overlooks the campus.
Sports Offered
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Equestrian (IHSA)
- Equestrian (NCEA)
Tour Photos
About #TourTuesdays
Throughout the next few months, we are going to highlight various colleges and universities across the globe, some of which you may not have even heard of. Although we have no affiliation with any of these programs, we hope these tour notes will help you discover a new option, learn something new about a school you already know, or encourage you to explore a different type of institution that you otherwise wouldn't have explored.
