Methodist vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Methodist University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,822 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Methodist University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Methodist University 11:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Methodist vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Methodist 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 Methodist ($20,134 vs. $26,334).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 28.9% lower than at Methodist University ($10,126 vs. $14,250).
• Methodist University is 38.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $11,450 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.4% higher at Methodist than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $11,450 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Methodist University as at Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Methodist University students is 51.2% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($29,476 vs. $19,498).

Methodist vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Methodist 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 Methodist.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Methodist University (1170) is 40 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Methodist).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Methodist University 1080/1250; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Methodist University 22/27; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Methodist - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Methodist (3.58).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Methodist (75.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Methodist vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Methodist vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Methodist 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.

• Southern Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Methodist University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Methodist graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Wesleyan University and Methodist graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Wesleyan University and Methodist graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Methodist students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 49%)

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.