UNF vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Florida is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (16,154 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Florida 19:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

UNF vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNF 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 University of North Florida than SWU ($11,135 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 14.3% lower than at University of North Florida ($10,126 vs. $11,810).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 366.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNF (about $23,411 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $6,389.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.3% higher at SWU than at University of North Florida (about $9,007 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $20,793.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at University of North Florida (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 107.9% larger than aid received by University of North Florida students ($19,498 vs. $9,377).

UNF vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNF 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 UNF.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of North Florida (1170) is 40 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at UNF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of North Florida 1070/1270; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of North Florida 19/25; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNF - Required; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UNF (3.89).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than UNF (53.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UNF vs. 33.4% at SWU.

UNF vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNF 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.

• University of North Florida's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from University of North Florida earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than SWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Florida graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($16,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNF graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($165 vs. $279).
• More UNF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.