Southwestern College vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern College in Winfield, KS with Wichita State University in Wichita, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wichita State University is larger than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (16,689 students vs. 1,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern College is located in Winfield, KS (Distant Town setting); Wichita State University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• Southwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern College 10:1; Wichita State University 19:1.

Southwestern College vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern College or WSU? 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 Wichita State University than Southwestern College ($14,228 vs. $29,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 7.7% lower than at Wichita State University ($11,465 vs. $12,420).
• Southwestern College is 311.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $30,138 more per year; $39,822.00 vs. $9,684.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.4% higher at Southwestern College than at Wichita State University (about $19,953 more per year; $39,822.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at Wichita State University (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 256.1% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($28,936 vs. $8,125).

Southwestern College vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwestern College or WSU? 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 WSU and Southwestern College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wichita State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at Southwestern College (1060).
• Incoming WSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Southwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern College 900/1220; Wichita State University 905/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern College 17/22; Wichita State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwestern College - Test-free; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwestern College Aug 22, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Southwestern College (3.33).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Southwestern College (75.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Southwestern College vs. 20.1% at WSU.

Southwestern College vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern College and WSU? 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).

• Southwestern College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Wichita State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Southwestern College earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,100 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wichita State University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than Southwestern College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern College graduates ($211 vs. $266).
• More Southwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 55%)

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.