SWU vs. Lander University

Comparable Facts

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

Lander University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (4,378 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Lander University is in Greenwood, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lander University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Lander University 18:1.

SWU vs. Lander University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Lander University? 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 Lander University than SWU ($15,520 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 16.3% lower than at Lander University ($10,126 vs. $12,100).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 154.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lander University (about $18,100 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $11,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.9% higher at SWU than at Lander University (about $8,500 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Lander University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 59.4% larger than aid received by Lander University students ($19,498 vs. $12,232).

SWU vs. Lander University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 70 points higher than at Lander University (1060).
• Incoming SWU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 19 at Lander University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Lander University 950/1178.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Lander University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Lander University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Lander University (3.66).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Lander University (81.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 22.7% at Lander University.

SWU vs. Lander University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Lander University? 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.

• Southern Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Lander University's (37%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Lander University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lander University and SWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Lander University and SWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 46%)

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.