Principia College vs. Southwest Baptist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Baptist University is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (2,199 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Southwest Baptist University is in Bolivar, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Southwest Baptist University 10:1.

Principia College vs. Southwest Baptist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College or Southwest Baptist University? 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 Principia College than Southwest Baptist University ($18,248 vs. $21,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Baptist University are 29.7% lower than at Principia College ($9,776 vs. $13,910).
• Principia College is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Baptist University (about $4,114 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $30,566.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Principia College than at Southwest Baptist University (about $4,114 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $30,566.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Baptist University than at Principia College (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 59.6% larger than aid received by Southwest Baptist University students ($30,402 vs. $19,043).

Principia College vs. Southwest Baptist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College or Southwest Baptist University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Southwest Baptist University and Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 140 points higher than at Southwest Baptist University (1010).
• Incoming Principia College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Southwest Baptist University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; Southwest Baptist University 810/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; Southwest Baptist University 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Southwest Baptist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Southwest Baptist University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. Southwest Baptist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and Southwest Baptist University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

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.