AU vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Anderson University in Anderson, SC with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Anderson University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 980 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

AU vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or SWU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Wesleyan University than AU ($20,134 vs. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 20.4% lower than at Anderson University ($10,126 vs. $12,720).
• Anderson University is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $5,170 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at AU than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $5,170 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Anderson University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($25,969 vs. $19,498).

AU vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or SWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SWU and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Anderson University (1190) is 60 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at SWU (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at AU (3.72).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 33.4% at SWU.

AU vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and SWU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Anderson University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Anderson University graduates have a $138 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($26,862 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.