SWU vs. Winthrop University

Comparable Facts

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

Winthrop University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (4,894 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Winthrop University is in Rock Hill, SC (Small City setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winthrop University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Winthrop University 13:1.

SWU vs. Winthrop University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or Winthrop University? 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 Winthrop University than SWU ($16,108 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 8.5% lower than at Winthrop University ($10,126 vs. $11,072).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 103% more expensive for in-state tuition than Winthrop University (about $15,122 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $14,678.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at SWU than at Winthrop University (about $1,124 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $28,676.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Winthrop University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 24.3% larger than aid received by Winthrop University students ($19,498 vs. $15,686).

SWU vs. Winthrop University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 10 points higher than at Winthrop University (1120).
• Incoming SWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Winthrop University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Winthrop University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Winthrop University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Winthrop University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have the same average high school GPA (4.0) as students at Winthrop University (4.0).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Winthrop University (79.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 15% at Winthrop University.

SWU vs. Winthrop University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Winthrop University? 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.

• Winthrop University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Winthrop University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winthrop University and SWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Winthrop University and SWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winthrop University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 49%)

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.