SWU vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

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

Clemson University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (29,077 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Clemson University 16:1.

SWU vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Clemson? 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 Clemson ($20,134 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 23.8% lower than at Clemson University ($10,126 vs. $13,284).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 91.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clemson (about $14,246 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $15,554.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at Clemson than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $11,066 more per year; $40,866.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Clemson University (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 71.2% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($19,498 vs. $11,389).

SWU vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or Clemson? 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 Clemson and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Clemson University (1330) is 200 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming Clemson students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 25 at SWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Clemson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Clemson (3.75).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Clemson (38.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

SWU vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Clemson? 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.

• Clemson University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Clemson University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,100 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clemson University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Clemson graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.