MUW vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi University for Women is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (2,193 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi University for Women is located in Columbus, MS (Remote Town setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Mississippi University for Women is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi University for Women 10:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

MUW vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MUW 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 Mississippi University for Women than SWU ($12,487 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi University for Women are 15.3% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($8,572 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 250.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MUW (about $21,308 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 250.9% higher at SWU than at Mississippi University for Women (about $21,308 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Mississippi University for Women (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 102.4% larger than aid received by Mississippi University for Women students ($19,498 vs. $9,635).

MUW vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MUW 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 MUW.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 110 points higher than at MUW (1020).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at MUW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mississippi University for Women 850/1180; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mississippi University for Women 18/24; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MUW - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at MUW (3.49).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than MUW (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at MUW vs. 33.4% at SWU.

MUW vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MUW 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 Mississippi University for Women's (39%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than MUW graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $37,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi University for Women graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($15,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MUW graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($155 vs. $279).
• More MUW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.