Bellarmine University vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Bellarmine University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (2,886 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bellarmine University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bellarmine University 12:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Bellarmine University vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bellarmine University 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 Bellarmine University ($20,134 vs. $23,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 6.7% lower than at Bellarmine University ($10,126 vs. $10,850).
• Bellarmine University is 63.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $18,970 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.7% higher at Bellarmine University than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $18,970 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bellarmine University as at Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 100% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($39,001 vs. $19,498).

Bellarmine University vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bellarmine University 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 Bellarmine University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Bellarmine University (1140) is 10 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming Bellarmine University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at SWU (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bellarmine University 1030/1250; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bellarmine University 23/28; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bellarmine University - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bellarmine University Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Bellarmine University (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Bellarmine University vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Bellarmine University vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bellarmine University 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.

• Bellarmine University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Bellarmine University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,300 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bellarmine University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bellarmine University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.