LRC vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Roche University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (2,153 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Roche University 11:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

LRC vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC 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 LRC ($20,134 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 24.4% lower than at La Roche University ($10,126 vs. $13,390).
• La Roche University is 14.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $4,252 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at LRC than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $4,252 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at La Roche University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 18.4% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($23,083 vs. $19,498).

LRC vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC 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 LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 60 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming SWU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at LRC (3.2).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 33.4% at SWU.

LRC vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC 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.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $500 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, LRC graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More LRC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.