SWU vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC with Citadel Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (3,793 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Citadel Military College of South Carolina is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 11:1.

SWU vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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 Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($20,134 vs. $22,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 4.2% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($9,705 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 137.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $17,230 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $12,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.2% higher at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $8,708 more per year; $38,508.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 18.4% larger than aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students ($19,498 vs. $16,473).

SWU vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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 Citadel Military College of South Carolina and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1190) is 60 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 1085/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Citadel Military College of South Carolina - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (3.8).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (22.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 90.9% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

SWU vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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.

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates have a $3,188 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($23,812 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.