SWU vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SWU vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Liberty 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 Southern Wesleyan University than Liberty University ($20,134 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 26.8% lower than at Liberty University ($10,126 vs. $13,835).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 32.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Liberty University (about $7,335 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at SWU than at Liberty University (about $7,335 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Liberty University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 56.1% larger than aid received by Liberty University students ($19,498 vs. $12,489).

SWU vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

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

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Liberty University (1150) is 20 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at Liberty University (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Liberty University (3.56).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Liberty University (99%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

SWU vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Liberty 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.

• Liberty University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($24,166 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($249 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 36%)

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.