SWU vs. Marshall University

Comparable Facts

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

Marshall University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (11,958 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Marshall University is in Huntington, WV (Small City setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marshall University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Marshall University 16:1.

SWU vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Marshall 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 Marshall University than SWU ($8,076 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 23.8% lower than at Marshall University ($10,126 vs. $13,292).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 225.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marshall University (about $20,638 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $9,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.5% higher at SWU than at Marshall University (about $9,458 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $20,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Marshall University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 45% larger than aid received by Marshall University students ($19,498 vs. $13,448).

SWU vs. Marshall University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 100 points higher than at Marshall University (1030).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Marshall University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Marshall University 910/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Marshall University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Marshall University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Marshall University (3.68).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Marshall University (95.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 28.1% at Marshall University.

SWU vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Marshall 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.

• Marshall 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 $4,600 more per year than Marshall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marshall University graduates have a $3,866 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($23,134 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Marshall University graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University 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.