SWU vs. Randolph-Macon

Comparable Facts

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

Randolph Macon College is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 980 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Randolph Macon College is in Ashland, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph Macon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Randolph Macon College 11:1.

SWU vs. Randolph-Macon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Randolph-Macon? 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 Randolph-Macon ($20,134 vs. $28,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 30.4% lower than at Randolph Macon College ($10,126 vs. $14,540).
• Randolph Macon College is 66% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $19,666 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66% higher at Randolph-Macon than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $19,666 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University as at Randolph Macon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph Macon College students is 79.4% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($34,972 vs. $19,498).

SWU vs. Randolph-Macon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or Randolph-Macon? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Randolph-Macon and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 30 points higher than at Randolph-Macon (1100).
• Incoming SWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Randolph-Macon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Randolph Macon College 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Randolph Macon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Randolph-Macon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Randolph-Macon Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Randolph-Macon (3.7).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Randolph-Macon (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 18.9% at Randolph-Macon.

SWU vs. Randolph-Macon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Randolph-Macon? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Randolph Macon College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Randolph Macon College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Randolph Macon College and SWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Randolph Macon College and SWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Randolph-Macon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.