Georgia Southwestern vs. Lander University

Should I go to Georgia Southwestern State University or Lander University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Georgia Southwestern or Lander University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Georgia Southwestern State University vs. Lander University comparison
Georgia Southwestern State University Lander University College 3 College 4
Georgia Southwestern State University Lander University
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Overview

Georgia Southwestern Lander University
Location Americus, GA Greenwood, SC
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 3,408 4,363
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #970 #984
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gsw.edu lander.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Georgia Southwestern Lander University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $10,700
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $20,300
Room & Board $9,574 $10,700
Avg Net Price $11,779 $14,657
Avg Grant Aid $8,120 $12,000
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

Georgia Southwestern Lander University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,045 5,184
Admitted 1,578 3,521
Acceptance Rate 77.2% 67.9%
Enrolled % 33.8% 24%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.66
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/21 17/24
SAT Range 900/1130 960/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 21, 2026

Academics

Georgia Southwestern Lander University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Education (25%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (3%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Georgia Southwestern Lander University
Graduation Rate 30% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 $37,000
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $279

Diversity

Georgia Southwestern Lander University
% Men 5% 4%
% Women 14% 12%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 58%
% Black 29% 31%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Georgia Southwestern Lander University
% In-State 95% 88%
% Out-of-State 4% 9%

Campus

Georgia Southwestern Lander University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Lander University is larger than than Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (4,363 students vs. 3,408 students)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Lander University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern or Lander University?

  • Lander University is 163.3% more expensive to attend than Georgia Southwestern for in-state tuition ($10,700.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.3% higher at Lander University than Georgia Southwestern State University ($20,300.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Georgia Southwestern State University than Lander University ($11,779 vs. $14,657)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southwestern State University are 11.8% lower than costs at Lander University ($9,574 vs. $10,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lander University than Georgia Southwestern State University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 47.8% larger than aid received Georgia Southwestern State University ($12,000 vs. $8,120)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Lander University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia Southwestern or Lander University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Lander University or Georgia Southwestern .

  • The average SAT score at Georgia Southwestern State University (967) is 45 points higher than at Lander University (922)
  • Incoming Georgia Southwestern students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Lander University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Lander University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17)
  • Georgia Southwestern has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than Lander University (67.9%)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Lander University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Georgia Southwestern or Lander University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Lander University and Georgia Southwestern.

  • The graduation rate at Lander University is higher than Georgia Southwestern State University (37% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Georgia Southwestern State University earn on average $1,100 more per year than Lander University graduates after ten years. ($38,100 vs. $37,000)
  • Georgia Southwestern State University students graduate with a $5,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Lander University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Georgia Southwestern graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Lander University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More Lander University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia Southwestern students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/