SWU vs. University of Charleston

Should I go to Southern Wesleyan University or University of Charleston? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SWU or University of Charleston is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

WVU Marshall University WVSU ECU JCSU University of Maine at Presque Isle AU Georgetown College CofC Fairmont State Newberry College West Virginia University Tech
Southern Wesleyan University vs. University of Charleston comparison
Southern Wesleyan University University of Charleston College 3 College 4
University of Charleston
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 SWU University of Charleston
Location Central, SC Charleston, WV
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,175 3,059
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #826 #691
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website edu. ucwv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SWU University of Charleston
Tuition (In State) $26,520 $31,400
Tuition (Out of State) $26,520 $31,400
Room & Board $9,650 $10,200
Avg Net Price $17,639 $21,308
Avg Grant Aid $19,636 $22,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 SWU University of Charleston
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 846 1,571
Admitted 433 1,064
Acceptance Rate 51.2% 67.7%
Enrolled % 34.2% 25%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.13
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/23 19/23
SAT Range 1013/1160 985/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

 SWU University of Charleston
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (66%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

 SWU University of Charleston
Graduation Rate 42% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $211

Diversity

 SWU University of Charleston
% Men 33% 60%
% Women 67% 40%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 58%
% Black 28% 9%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 1% 7%
% Unknown Race 1% 22%

Students

 SWU University of Charleston
% In-State 58% 57%
% Out-of-State 42% 30%

Campus

 SWU University of Charleston
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Charleston is larger than than SWU based on total student enrollment (3,059 students vs. 1,175 students)

SWU vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or University of Charleston?

  • University of Charleston is 18.4% more expensive to attend than SWU for in-state tuition ($31,400.00 vs. $26,520.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.4% higher at University of Charleston than Southern Wesleyan University ($31,400.00 vs. $26,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Wesleyan University than University of Charleston ($17,639 vs. $21,308)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 5.7% lower than costs at University of Charleston ($9,650 vs. $10,200)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University as University of Charleston (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 14.2% larger than aid received Southern Wesleyan University ($22,422 vs. $19,636)

SWU vs. University of Charleston Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or University of Charleston? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Charleston or SWU .

  • Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.87 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of Charleston (3.13)
  • University of Charleston has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than SWU (51.2%)

SWU vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SWU or University of Charleston? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Charleston and SWU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Charleston is higher than Southern Wesleyan University (51% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from University of Charleston earn on average $400 more per year than SWU graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $44,800)
  • University of Charleston students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than SWU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $27,000)
  • University of Charleston graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than SWU graduates. ($211 vs. $279)
  • More University of Charleston graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/