SWU vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

SWU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University than SWU ($16,286 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 4.1% lower than at East Tennessee State University ($10,126 vs. $10,554).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 184.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $19,328 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.2% higher at SWU than at East Tennessee State University (about $15,278 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 93% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($19,498 vs. $10,101).

SWU vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 40 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming SWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

SWU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and ETSU? 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.

• East Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.