Louisville vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Louisville vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 University of Louisville than SWU ($19,785 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 19.5% lower than at University of Louisville ($10,126 vs. $12,576).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 126.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $16,664 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at SWU than at University of Louisville (about $318 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at University of Louisville (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 32.8% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($19,498 vs. $14,677).

Louisville vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 30 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisville 19/27; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Louisville vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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.

• University of Louisville's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $400 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $7,344 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($19,656 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($203 vs. $279).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 50%)

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.