Coe College vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA with Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwestern University is larger than Coe College based on total student enrollment (1,440 students vs. 1,195 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Coe College is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Coe College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Coe College 11:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

Coe College vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coe College or SU? 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 Coe College than SU ($20,864 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coe College are 21.8% lower than at Southwestern University ($11,790 vs. $15,072).
• Coe College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SU (about $853 more per year; $54,666.00 vs. $53,813.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Coe College than at Southwestern University (about $853 more per year; $54,666.00 vs. $53,813.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coe College than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coe College students is 32.2% larger than aid received by Southwestern University students ($46,468 vs. $35,162).

Coe College vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Coe College or SU? 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 SU and Coe College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 40 points higher than at Coe College (1180).
• Incoming SU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Coe College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coe College 1070/1290; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coe College 23/29; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coe College - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Coe College Mar 1, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Coe College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at SU (3.5).
• Coe College has a higher acceptance rate (64%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.5% at Coe College vs. 13.8% at SU.

Coe College vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coe College and SU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Coe College's (69%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Coe College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $48,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern University graduates have a $1,212 lower median loan debt than Coe College graduates ($26,893 vs. $28,105).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coe College graduates ($278 vs. $290).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coe College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 78%)

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.