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Eastern Mennonite University vs Sweet Briar College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Harrisonburg VA · vs · Private nonprofit, Sweet Briar VA

The verdict

Eastern Mennonite University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,352 in 15.1 years versus 19.8 years at Sweet Briar College, on median earnings of $54,869 vs $51,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEastern Mennonite UniversitySweet Briar College
Net price / yr$24,588$17,758
Total net cost$98,352$71,032
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,869$51,943
Median debt$24,813$27,000
Payback15.1 yrs19.8 yrs
20-year net return$31,828$628

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Eastern Mennonite University or Sweet Briar College?

Sweet Briar College, at $17,758 a year after aid versus $24,588 — a gap of $6,830 a year, or $27,320 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Eastern Mennonite University or Sweet Briar College graduates earn more?

Eastern Mennonite University graduates report a median $54,869 ten years after entry, $2,926 more than the $51,943 at Sweet Briar College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Eastern Mennonite University or Sweet Briar College?

Eastern Mennonite University: its completers carry a median $24,813 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Sweet Briar College, a difference of $2,187. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Eastern Mennonite University, against 52% at Sweet Briar College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Eastern Mennonite University vs Sweet Briar College: frequently asked questions

Is Eastern Mennonite University or Sweet Briar College a better value?
Eastern Mennonite University. It clears its $98,352 net cost in about 15.1 years versus 19.8 years at Sweet Briar College, on median earnings of $54,869 vs $51,943 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Eastern Mennonite University or Sweet Briar College?
Sweet Briar College: $17,758/yr net price after aid versus $24,588/yr at Eastern Mennonite University — a difference of $6,830 a year, or about $27,320 over four years.
Do Eastern Mennonite University or Sweet Briar College graduates earn more?
Eastern Mennonite University graduates earn a median $54,869 ten years after entry, versus $51,943 at Sweet Briar College — a $2,926 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.