Piedmont University vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Piedmont University in Demorest, GA with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Piedmont University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,857 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Piedmont University is located in Demorest, GA (Distant Town setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Piedmont University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Piedmont University 12:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Piedmont University vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Piedmont University 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 Piedmont University ($20,134 vs. $22,252).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 22.7% lower than at Piedmont University ($10,126 vs. $13,100).
• Piedmont University is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $1,900 more per year; $31,700.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at Piedmont University than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $1,900 more per year; $31,700.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Piedmont University as at Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Piedmont University students is 26.3% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($24,618 vs. $19,498).

Piedmont University vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Piedmont University 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 Piedmont University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Piedmont University (1140) is 10 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Piedmont University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Piedmont University 1038/1245; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Piedmont University 18/25; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Piedmont University - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Piedmont University Jul 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Piedmont University (3.54).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Piedmont University (93.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.6% at Piedmont University vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Piedmont University vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Piedmont University 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.

• Piedmont University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Piedmont University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Piedmont University graduates have a $3,264 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($23,736 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Piedmont University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Piedmont University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 44%)

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.