SWU vs. Bethel

Should I go to Southern Wesleyan University or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SWU or Bethel is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Southern Wesleyan University vs. Bethel University comparison
Southern Wesleyan University Bethel University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 SWU Bethel
Location Central, SC McKenzie, TN
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,175 4,686
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #826 #1002
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan Cumberland Presbyterian - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website edu. bethelu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SWU Bethel
Tuition (In State) $26,520 $16,222
Tuition (Out of State) $26,520 $16,222
Room & Board $9,650 $13,446
Avg Net Price $17,639 $13,858
Avg Grant Aid $19,636 $13,396
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

 SWU Bethel
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 846 2,489
Admitted 433 2,210
Acceptance Rate 51.2% 88.8%
Enrolled % 34.2% 20.6%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.6
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/23 16/22
SAT Range 1013/1160 928/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 SWU Bethel
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (66%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)

Outcomes

 SWU Bethel
Graduation Rate 42% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $28,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $292

Diversity

 SWU Bethel
% Men 33% 46%
% Women 67% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 46%
% Black 28% 40%
% Hispanic 5% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 5%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

 SWU Bethel
% In-State 58% 80%
% Out-of-State 42% 19%

Campus

 SWU Bethel
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than SWU based on total student enrollment (4,686 students vs. 1,175 students)

SWU vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Bethel?

  • Southern Wesleyan University is 63.5% more expensive to attend than Bethel for in-state tuition ($26,520.00 vs. $16,222.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.5% higher at SWU than Bethel University ($26,520.00 vs. $16,222.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethel University than SWU ($13,858 vs. $17,639)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 39.3% lower than costs at Bethel University ($9,650 vs. $13,446)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than Bethel University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 46.6% larger than aid received Bethel University ($19,636 vs. $13,396)

SWU vs. Bethel Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or Bethel? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bethel or SWU .

  • Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Bethel (3.6)
  • Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than SWU (51.2%)

SWU vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SWU or Bethel? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bethel and SWU.

  • The graduation rate at SWU is higher than Bethel University (42% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn on average $2,100 more per year than Bethel graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $42,700)
  • Southern Wesleyan University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel graduates. ($27,000 vs. $28,250)
  • SWU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel graduates. ($279 vs. $292)
  • More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/