Shenandoah University vs Sweet Briar College: which has better ROI?
Shenandoah University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,192 in 12 years versus 19.8 years at Sweet Briar College, on median earnings of $58,433 vs $51,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Shenandoah University | Sweet Briar College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,298 | $17,758 |
| Total net cost | $121,192 | $71,032 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,433 | $51,943 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 12 yrs | 19.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $80,268 | $628 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Shenandoah University or Sweet Briar College?
Sweet Briar College, at $17,758 a year after aid versus $30,298 — a gap of $12,540 a year, or $50,160 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Shenandoah University or Sweet Briar College graduates earn more?
Shenandoah University graduates report a median $58,433 ten years after entry, $6,490 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, Shenandoah University or Sweet Briar College?
Shenandoah University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Sweet Briar College, a difference of $2,000. 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 Shenandoah 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.