Carroll College vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Carroll College in Helena, MT with Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwestern University is larger than Carroll College based on total student enrollment (1,440 students vs. 1,156 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carroll College is located in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carroll College 12:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

Carroll College vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carroll College or SU? 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 Carroll College than SU ($25,575 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll College are 23.4% lower than at Southwestern University ($11,548 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 29.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carroll College (about $12,329 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at SU than at Carroll College (about $12,329 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carroll College than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 17% larger than aid received by Carroll College students ($35,162 vs. $30,058).

Carroll College vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carroll College or SU? 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 SU and Carroll College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 40 points higher than at Carroll College (1180).
• Incoming SU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Carroll College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 1050/1300; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 21/27; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carroll College - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carroll College Feb 28, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carroll College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at SU (3.5).
• Carroll College has a higher acceptance rate (70.9%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Carroll College vs. 13.8% at SU.

Carroll College vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carroll College and SU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Carroll College's (59%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Carroll College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern University graduates have a $107 lower median loan debt than Carroll College graduates ($26,893 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carroll College graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More Carroll College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 80%)

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.