SWU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (4,916 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 Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

SWU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 Upstate than SWU ($13,999 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 3.9% lower than at University of South Carolina Upstate ($10,126 vs. $10,533).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 157.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $18,212 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at SWU than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $6,710 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 81.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($19,498 vs. $10,719).

SWU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 40 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (1090).
• Incoming SWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at University of South Carolina-Upstate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 1.47 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

SWU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.