AU vs. SWU

Anderson University and Southern Wesleyan University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Anderson University
Southern Wesleyan University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (54.7% admitted vs 99.5%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1130.
  • Cheaper after aid: SWU. Average net price is $20,134 vs $24,434 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 48% vs SWU 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $37,500 vs SWU $44,800 (median).
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Key differences

Anderson University Southern Wesleyan University
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
AU54.7%
SWU99.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AU higher
AU1100-1280
SWU1040-1210
Average net price
SWU $4,300 less
AU$24,434
SWU$20,134
In-state tuition
SWU $5,170 less
AU$34,970
SWU$29,800
Out-of-state tuition
SWU $5,170 less
AU$34,970
SWU$29,800
Graduation rate
AU +6 pts
AU48%
SWU42%
Median earnings (10 years)
SWU +$7,300
AU$37,500
SWU$44,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 4,548
  • SWU 427
  • Admitted
  • AU 2,488
  • SWU 425
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 54.7%
  • SWU 99.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 32.5%
  • SWU 33.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1190
  • SWU 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 25
  • SWU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.72
  • SWU 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • SWU A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Challenging
  • SWU Average
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • SWU
  • SAT range
  • AU 1100-1280
  • SWU 1040-1210
  • ACT range
  • AU 22-29
  • SWU 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • SWU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU
  • SWU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $34,970
  • SWU $29,800
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $34,970
  • SWU $29,800
  • Room & board
  • AU $12,720
  • SWU $10,126
  • Average net price
  • AU $24,434
  • SWU $20,134
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $25,969
  • SWU $19,498
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 98%
  • SWU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 48%
  • SWU 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $37,500
  • SWU $44,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 60%
  • SWU 50%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $26,862
  • SWU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $277
  • SWU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 13:1
  • SWU 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Education (37%)
    • Business (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (4%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • SWU
    • Business (66%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Location
  • AU Anderson, SC
  • SWU Central, SC
  • Setting
  • AU Small City
  • SWU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 4,710
  • SWU 980
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • SWU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #662
  • SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Anderson University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
  • Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 20.4% lower than at Anderson University ($10,126 vs. $12,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at AU than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $5,170 more per year; $34,970 vs. $29,800).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Anderson University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($25,969 vs. $19,498).

Admissions details

  • Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at SWU (25).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and SWU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SWU average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at AU (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Anderson University graduates have a $138 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($26,862 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($277 vs. $279).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 50%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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