UMUC vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, MD with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Global Campus is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (63,012 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Global Campus is located in Adelphi, MD (Large Suburban setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maryland Global Campus 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 Maryland Global Campus 21:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

UMUC vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMUC 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 Maryland Global Campus than SWU ($19,241 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 39.6% lower than at University of Maryland Global Campus ($10,126 vs. $16,754).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 266.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMUC (about $21,664 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $8,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.6% higher at SWU than at University of Maryland Global Campus (about $17,464 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at University of Maryland Global Campus (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 274.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Global Campus students ($19,498 vs. $5,211).

UMUC vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMUC 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 UMUC.

• University of Maryland Global Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSouthern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSouthern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMUC - Open admission; SWU - Test optional.

UMUC vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMUC 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 University of Maryland Global Campus's (10%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Global Campus earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Global Campus graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMUC graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMUC students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 40%)

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.