KU vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kansas is larger than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 1,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting); Southwestern College is in Winfield, KS (Distant Town setting).
• University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kansas 18:1; Southwestern College 10:1.

KU vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU or Southwestern College? 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 Kansas than Southwestern College ($19,205 vs. $29,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 0.9% lower than at Southwestern College ($11,358 vs. $11,465).
• Southwestern College is 229.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than KU (about $27,720 more per year; $39,822.00 vs. $12,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.9% higher at Southwestern College than at University of Kansas (about $9,390 more per year; $39,822.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at University of Kansas (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 150.7% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($28,936 vs. $11,541).

KU vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is 130 points higher than at Southwestern College (1060).
• Incoming KU 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: University of Kansas 1070/1300; Southwestern College 900/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 20/28; Southwestern College 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KU - Test optional; Southwestern College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027; Southwestern College Aug 22, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Southwestern College (3.33).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Southwestern College (75.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at KU vs. 19.1% at Southwestern College.

KU vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Kansas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Southwestern College's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $53,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than Southwestern College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern College graduates ($211 vs. $266).
• More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.