SU vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX with Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwestern University is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (1,440 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern University 11:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

SU vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU or TLU? 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 Texas Lutheran University than SU ($25,119 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Lutheran University are 18.1% lower than at Southwestern University ($12,350 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 48.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than TLU (about $17,583 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $36,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.5% higher at SU than at Texas Lutheran University (about $17,583 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $36,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 41.4% larger than aid received by Texas Lutheran University students ($35,162 vs. $24,861).

SU vs. TLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SU or TLU? 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 TLU and SU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 90 points higher than at TLU (1130).
• Incoming SU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at TLU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 1130/1300; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 26/30; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SU - Test optional; TLU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at SU (3.5).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at SU vs. 16.8% at TLU.

SU vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SU and TLU? 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 University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Texas Lutheran University's (49%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than TLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern University graduates have a $107 lower median loan debt than TLU graduates ($26,893 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TLU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 67%)

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.