SWU vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SWU vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or CofC? 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 CofC ($20,134 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 29.3% lower than at College of Charleston ($10,126 vs. $14,332).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 129.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $16,822 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at CofC than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $8,496 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at College of Charleston (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 117.1% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($19,498 vs. $8,983).

SWU vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 100 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming CofC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 25 at SWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at CofC (3.94).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 11.9% at CofC.

SWU vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and CofC? 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.

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.