SWU vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

SWU vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken than SWU ($12,236 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 9.3% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($9,182 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 177% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $19,040 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at SWU than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $8,582 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 119% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($19,498 vs. $8,904).

SWU vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 30 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming SWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.81 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

SWU vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.