Linfield vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Linfield University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (1,709 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Linfield vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Linfield 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 Linfield ($20,134 vs. $29,936).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 30.8% lower than at Linfield University ($10,126 vs. $14,640).
• Linfield University is 70.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $21,050 more per year; $50,850.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.6% higher at Linfield than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $21,050 more per year; $50,850.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Linfield University as at Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Linfield University students is 85.4% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($36,156 vs. $19,498).

Linfield vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Linfield 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 Linfield.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Linfield University (1130) is the same as at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Linfield).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Linfield University 1050/1210; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Linfield University 20/27; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Linfield - Test-free; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Linfield Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Linfield (3.71).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Linfield (85.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Linfield vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Linfield vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Linfield 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.

• Linfield University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Linfield University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Linfield University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Linfield graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Linfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.