SWU vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Middle Tennessee State University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (20,488 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Middle Tennessee State University is in Murfreesboro, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Middle Tennessee State University 17:1.

SWU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University than SWU ($13,859 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 17.3% lower than at Middle Tennessee State University ($10,126 vs. $12,242).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 190.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Tennessee State University (about $19,534 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $10,266.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $1,774 more per year; $31,574.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Middle Tennessee State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 82.8% larger than aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students ($19,498 vs. $10,665).

SWU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 10 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1120).
• Incoming SWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Middle Tennessee State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Middle Tennessee State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Middle Tennessee State University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (3.64).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Middle Tennessee State University (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University.

SWU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Middle Tennessee State 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.

• Middle Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Middle Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have a $5,242 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($21,758 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($224 vs. $279).
• More Middle Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU 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.