SWU vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Radford University 14:1.

SWU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or RU? 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 Radford University than SWU ($16,749 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 19% lower than at Radford University ($10,126 vs. $12,504).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 137.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $17,252 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.3% higher at SWU than at Radford University (about $4,167 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Radford University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 64.3% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($19,498 vs. $11,870).

SWU vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or RU? 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 RU and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 80 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming SWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at RU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at RU (3.31).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 14.4% at RU.

SWU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and RU? 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.

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.