CSU vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Charleston Southern University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

CSU vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Southern Wesleyan University than CSU ($20,134 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 17% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($10,126 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $2,720 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at CSU than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $2,720 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($23,240 vs. $19,498).

CSU vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 80 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Charleston Southern University 18/24; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at CSU (3.24).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than CSU (96.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 33.4% at SWU.

CSU vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Wesleyan University and CSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Wesleyan University and CSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.