SWU vs. LGCNHS

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC with Saint Joseph's University Lancaster in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,439 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Saint Joseph's University Lancaster 11:1.

SWU vs. LGCNHS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or LGCNHS? 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 LGCNHS ($20,134 vs. $38,730).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 37.6% lower than at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster ($10,126 vs. $16,240).
• Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is 10.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $3,133 more per year; $32,933.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at LGCNHS than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $3,133 more per year; $32,933.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 146.2% larger than aid received by Saint Joseph's University Lancaster students ($19,498 vs. $7,920).

SWU vs. LGCNHS Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster (1140) is 10 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Saint Joseph's University Lancaster 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; LGCNHS - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LGCNHS Feb 1, 2027.
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than LGCNHS (41.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 40.8% at LGCNHS.

SWU vs. LGCNHS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and LGCNHS? 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 is 42%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for LGCNHS.
• Graduates from Saint Joseph's University Lancaster earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Joseph's University Lancaster graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($18,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, LGCNHS graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($191 vs. $279).
• More LGCNHS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.