SWU vs. Erskine College

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Wesleyan University is larger than Erskine College based on total student enrollment (980 students vs. 912 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Erskine College is in Due West, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Erskine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Erskine College 15:1.

SWU vs. Erskine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Erskine 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 Southern Wesleyan University than Erskine College ($20,134 vs. $23,882).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 23.6% lower than at Erskine College ($10,126 vs. $13,250).
• Erskine College is 23.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $6,910 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.2% higher at Erskine College than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $6,910 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University as at Erskine College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Erskine College students is 59.9% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($31,174 vs. $19,498).

SWU vs. Erskine College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or Erskine College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Erskine College and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 90 points higher than at Erskine College (1040).
• Incoming SWU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Erskine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Erskine College 920/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Erskine College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Erskine College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.74 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Erskine College (3.26).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Erskine College (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 22.2% at Erskine College.

SWU vs. Erskine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Erskine College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Erskine College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Erskine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Erskine College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($26,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Erskine College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More Erskine College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.