AUM vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Auburn University at Montgomery is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (5,217 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

AUM vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AUM 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 Auburn University at Montgomery than SWU ($13,945 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University at Montgomery are 27.2% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($7,368 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 207.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than AUM (about $20,100 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $9,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.2% higher at SWU than at Auburn University at Montgomery (about $9,132 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $20,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Auburn University at Montgomery (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 150.3% larger than aid received by Auburn University at Montgomery students ($19,498 vs. $7,790).

AUM vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AUM or SWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SWU and AUM.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 10 points higher than at AUM (1120).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at AUM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Auburn University at Montgomery 1036/1203; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Auburn University at Montgomery 18/24; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AUM - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AUM Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at AUM (3.4).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than AUM (91.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at AUM vs. 33.4% at SWU.

AUM vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AUM and SWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Auburn University at Montgomery's (33%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than AUM graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University at Montgomery graduates have a $4,808 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($22,192 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AUM graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($229 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AUM students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 42%)

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.