SWU vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

SWU vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than SWU ($15,347 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 19.7% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($10,126 vs. $12,604).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 185.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $19,352 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61% higher at SWU than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $11,288 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 94.2% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($19,498 vs. $10,038).

SWU vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 20 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming SWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at UTC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UTC (3.61).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

SWU vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $6,208 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($20,792 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($214 vs. $279).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.