SWU vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (38,532 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 Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

SWU vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($20,134 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 25.2% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($10,126 vs. $13,534).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 134.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $17,112 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at UofSC than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $6,172 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 173.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($19,498 vs. $7,139).

SWU vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 140 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 25 at SWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

SWU vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and UofSC? 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.

• University of South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.