SWU vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Wesleyan University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (980 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

SWU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or SVU? 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 SVU ($20,134 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 2.3% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($9,894 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 40% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $8,520 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at SWU than at Southern Virginia University (about $8,520 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 94.2% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($19,498 vs. $10,041).

SWU vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 30 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.81 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than SVU (96.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

SWU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More SVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.