SWU vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC with South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Carolina State University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (3,242 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

SWU vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or South Carolina 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 South Carolina State University than SWU ($17,965 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 11.1% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($9,000 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 169.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Carolina State University (about $18,740 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $11,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at SWU than at South Carolina State University (about $8,050 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $21,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at South Carolina State University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 68.4% larger than aid received by South Carolina State University students ($19,498 vs. $11,579).

SWU vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or South Carolina 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 South Carolina State University and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 200 points higher than at South Carolina State University (930).
• Incoming SWU students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 17 at South Carolina State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; South Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; South Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.83 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than South Carolina State University (82.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

SWU vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and South Carolina 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.

• Southern Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than South Carolina State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Wesleyan University graduates have a $6,205 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($27,000 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, SWU graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($279 vs. $343).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 27%)

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.