Southwestern College vs. Rockhurst

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern College in Winfield, KS with Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rockhurst University is larger than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (3,577 students vs. 1,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern College is located in Winfield, KS (Distant Town setting); Rockhurst University is in Kansas City, MO (Large City setting).
• Southwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rockhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern College 10:1; Rockhurst University 12:1.

Southwestern College vs. Rockhurst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern College or Rockhurst? 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 Rockhurst University than Southwestern College ($25,787 vs. $29,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 3.8% lower than at Rockhurst University ($11,465 vs. $11,920).
• Rockhurst University is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwestern College (about $5,144 more per year; $44,966.00 vs. $39,822.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Rockhurst than at Southwestern College (about $5,144 more per year; $44,966.00 vs. $39,822.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rockhurst University than at Southwestern College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rockhurst University students is 19.4% larger than aid received by Southwestern College students ($34,562 vs. $28,936).

Southwestern College vs. Rockhurst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwestern College or Rockhurst? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rockhurst and Southwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rockhurst University (1180) is 120 points higher than at Southwestern College (1060).
• Incoming Rockhurst students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Southwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern College 900/1220; Rockhurst University 1116/1246.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern College 17/22; Rockhurst University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwestern College - Test-free; Rockhurst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwestern College Aug 22, 2027; Rockhurst Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rockhurst students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Southwestern College (3.33).
• Southwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (75.6%) than Rockhurst (69.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Southwestern College vs. 19.2% at Rockhurst.

Southwestern College vs. Rockhurst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern College and Rockhurst? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Rockhurst University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Southwestern College's (57%).
• Graduates from Rockhurst University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $53,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rockhurst University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than Southwestern College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Rockhurst graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern College graduates ($211 vs. $266).
• More Rockhurst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 57%)

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.