TROY vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Troy University in Troy, AL with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Troy University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (13,658 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Troy University is located in Troy, AL (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Troy University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Troy University 16:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

TROY vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TROY or SWU? 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 Troy University than SWU ($12,842 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Troy University are 6.2% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($9,500 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 192.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than TROY (about $19,624 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $10,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.4% higher at SWU than at Troy University (about $9,448 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $20,352.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Troy University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 88.2% larger than aid received by Troy University students ($19,498 vs. $10,363).

TROY vs. SWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 50 points higher than at TROY (1080).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at TROY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Troy University 940/1210; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Troy University 18/25; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TROY - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at TROY (3.5).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than TROY (96%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at TROY vs. 33.4% at SWU.

TROY vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TROY and SWU? 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 Troy University's (35%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than TROY graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Troy University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TROY graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TROY students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 33%)

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.