GWU vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gardner Webb University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (3,104 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gardner Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gardner Webb University 12:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

GWU vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GWU 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 Gardner Webb University than SWU ($20,016 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 11.3% lower than at Gardner Webb University ($10,126 vs. $11,410).
• Gardner Webb University is 16.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $4,960 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at GWU than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $4,960 more per year; $34,760.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gardner Webb University as at Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($27,088 vs. $19,498).

GWU vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GWU 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 GWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 40 points higher than at GWU (1090).
• Incoming SWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at GWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Gardner Webb University 975/1198; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Gardner Webb University 19/25; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GWU - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at GWU (3.74).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than GWU (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at GWU vs. 33.4% at SWU.

GWU vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GWU 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.

• Gardner Webb University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than GWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gardner Webb University graduates have a $2,031 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($24,969 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GWU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More GWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.