Guilford College vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, NC with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Guilford College is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,180 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Guilford College vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford College 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 Guilford College ($20,134 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 24.4% lower than at Guilford College ($10,126 vs. $13,400).
• Guilford College is 38.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $11,562 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.8% higher at Guilford College than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $11,562 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College as at Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 71.4% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($33,419 vs. $19,498).

Guilford College vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford College 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 60 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Guilford College 1120/1260; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Guilford College 18/24; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.86 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Guilford College (80%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Guilford College vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford College 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.

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Guilford College graduates have a $365 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($26,635 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Guilford College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Guilford College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.