Georgia State vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia State University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (34,944 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Georgia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia State University 25:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Georgia State vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia State 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 Georgia State University than SWU ($16,854 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 24.4% lower than at Georgia State University ($10,126 vs. $13,392).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 244% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia State (about $21,136 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $8,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20% higher at SWU than at Georgia State University (about $4,960 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $24,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Georgia State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 61.8% larger than aid received by Georgia State University students ($19,498 vs. $12,052).

Georgia State vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia State 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 Georgia State.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 70 points higher than at Georgia State (1060).
• Incoming SWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Georgia State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Georgia State University 940/1180; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Georgia State University 19/26; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia State - Required; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia State Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Georgia State (3.54).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Georgia State (55.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Georgia State vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Georgia State vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia State 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.

• Georgia State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Georgia State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia State University graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia State graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia State students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 45%)

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.