Wartburg College vs. Southwest Baptist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Wartburg College in Waverly, IA with Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Baptist University is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (2,199 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wartburg College is located in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting); Southwest Baptist University is in Bolivar, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wartburg College 13:1; Southwest Baptist University 10:1.

Wartburg College vs. Southwest Baptist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wartburg College or Southwest Baptist 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 Southwest Baptist University than Wartburg College ($21,336 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Baptist University are 16.8% lower than at Wartburg College ($9,776 vs. $11,750).
• Southwest Baptist University is 16.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $4,316 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Southwest Baptist University than at Wartburg College (about $4,316 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Baptist University than at Wartburg College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 111.8% larger than aid received by Southwest Baptist University students ($40,336 vs. $19,043).

Wartburg College vs. Southwest Baptist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wartburg College or Southwest Baptist University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Southwest Baptist University and Wartburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wartburg College (1070) is 60 points higher than at Southwest Baptist University (1010).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Southwest Baptist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 930/1200; Southwest Baptist University 810/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 21/27; Southwest Baptist University 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wartburg College - Test optional; Southwest Baptist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Southwest Baptist University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• Wartburg College has a higher acceptance rate (75.8%) than Southwest Baptist University (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at Wartburg College vs. 34.3% at Southwest Baptist University.

Wartburg College vs. Southwest Baptist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wartburg College and Southwest Baptist University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Southwest Baptist University's (48%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Southwest Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have a $5,913 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($21,087 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($218 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 63%)

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.