SWU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Columbia College 12:1.

SWU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College than SWU ($18,790 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 7.3% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($9,390 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 34.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $7,586 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at SWU than at Columbia College (about $7,586 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($19,498 vs. $16,451).

SWU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 130 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming SWU students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

SWU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Columbia College? 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.

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.