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University of Lynchburg vs Sweet Briar College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

University of Lynchburg has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $88,940 in 11.1 years versus 19.8 years at Sweet Briar College, on median earnings of $56,380 vs $51,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of LynchburgSweet Briar College
Net price / yr$22,235$17,758
Total net cost$88,940$71,032
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,380$51,943
Median debt$27,000$27,000
Payback11.1 yrs19.8 yrs
20-year net return$71,460$628

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

Which is cheaper, University of Lynchburg or Sweet Briar College?

Sweet Briar College, at $17,758 a year after aid versus $22,235 — a gap of $4,477 a year, or $17,908 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Lynchburg or Sweet Briar College graduates earn more?

University of Lynchburg graduates report a median $56,380 ten years after entry, $4,437 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, University of Lynchburg or Sweet Briar College?

Completers at both borrow a median $27,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at University of Lynchburg, 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.

University of Lynchburg vs Sweet Briar College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Lynchburg or Sweet Briar College a better value?
University of Lynchburg. It clears its $88,940 net cost in about 11.1 years versus 19.8 years at Sweet Briar College, on median earnings of $56,380 vs $51,943 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Lynchburg or Sweet Briar College?
Sweet Briar College: $17,758/yr net price after aid versus $22,235/yr at University of Lynchburg — a difference of $4,477 a year, or about $17,908 over four years.
Do University of Lynchburg or Sweet Briar College graduates earn more?
University of Lynchburg graduates earn a median $56,380 ten years after entry, versus $51,943 at Sweet Briar College — a $4,437 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.