Wartburg College vs. Southwestern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Wartburg College in Waverly, IA with Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wartburg College is larger than Southwestern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 764 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wartburg College is located in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting); Southwestern Adventist University is in Keene, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wartburg College 13:1; Southwestern Adventist University 12:1.

Wartburg College vs. Southwestern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wartburg College or Southwestern Adventist University? 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 Southwestern Adventist University than Wartburg College ($20,466 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Adventist University are 20% lower than at Wartburg College ($9,400 vs. $11,750).
• Wartburg College is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwestern Adventist University (about $870 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $25,380.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Wartburg College than at Southwestern Adventist University (about $870 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $25,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Adventist University than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 166.7% larger than aid received by Southwestern Adventist University students ($40,336 vs. $15,126).

Wartburg College vs. Southwestern Adventist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wartburg College or Southwestern Adventist University? 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 Adventist University and Wartburg College.

• Southwestern Adventist University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wartburg College (1070) is 10 points higher than at Southwestern Adventist University (1060).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Southwestern Adventist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 930/1200; Southwestern Adventist University 910/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 21/27; Southwestern Adventist University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wartburg College - Test optional; Southwestern Adventist University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwestern Adventist University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Southwestern Adventist University (3.3).
• Southwestern Adventist University has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at Wartburg College vs. 20.7% at Southwestern Adventist University.

Wartburg College vs. Southwestern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wartburg College and Southwestern Adventist University? 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).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Southwestern Adventist University's (38%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Southwestern Adventist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern Adventist University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern Adventist University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern Adventist University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 49%)

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.