SWU vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Southern Wesleyan University or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SWU or Columbia College 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

AU
Southern Wesleyan University vs. Columbia College comparison
Southern Wesleyan University Columbia College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 SWU Columbia College
Location Central, SC Columbia, SC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,175 1,514
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #826 #913
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website edu. columbiasc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SWU Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $26,520 $21,250
Tuition (Out of State) $26,520 $21,250
Room & Board $9,650 $8,400
Avg Net Price $17,639 $18,779
Avg Grant Aid $19,636 $16,089
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

 SWU Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 846 2,176
Admitted 433 2,135
Acceptance Rate 51.2% 98.1%
Enrolled % 34.2% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.56
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/23 14/18
SAT Range 1013/1160 850/1140
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 Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (66%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

 SWU Columbia College
Graduation Rate 42% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,264
Median Loan Payment $279 $261

Diversity

 SWU Columbia College
% Men 33% 15%
% Women 67% 85%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 55%
% Black 28% 34%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 SWU Columbia College
% In-State 58% 76%
% Out-of-State 42% 22%

Campus

 SWU Columbia College
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

  • Columbia College is larger than than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,514 students vs. 1,175 students)

SWU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Columbia College?

  • Southern Wesleyan University is 24.8% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($26,520.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.8% higher at SWU than Columbia College ($26,520.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Wesleyan University than Columbia College ($17,639 vs. $18,779)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 14.9% lower than costs at Southern Wesleyan University ($8,400 vs. $9,650)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than Columbia College (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 22% larger than aid received Columbia College ($19,636 vs. $16,089)

SWU vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Columbia College (3.56)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than SWU (51.2%)

SWU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SWU or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and SWU.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Southern Wesleyan University (50% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn on average $10,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $34,700)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $1,736 lower median federal student loan debt than SWU graduates. ($25,264 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than SWU graduates. ($261 vs. $279)
  • More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 43%)

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