College Search
Southern Wesleyan University

Southern Wesleyan University

Central, SC · Suburb · 747 students
WebsiteScorecard
$15,464
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
52%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
50% typical
$47,756
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$48,772 typical
100%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
77% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Southern Wesleyan University is a private, Christ-centered institution in Central, South Carolina, best known for integrating Christian faith with practical career preparation and servant leadership. The university offers strong programs in education, business administration, pre-professional biology, and church ministries, all anchored by small class sizes and personalized faculty mentorship. Student life revolves around a close-knit, encouraging community where faith is woven into daily activities through chapel services, local outreach, and NCAA Division II athletics in Conference Carolinas. A distinctive aspect of SWU is its peaceful, faith-focused campus setting that gives students an intimate learning environment while placing them just five minutes from the lively college-town energy of neighboring Clemson University.

Wikipedia:Southern Wesleyan University is a private Christian university in Central, South Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1906 by what is now the Wesleyan Church. The institution is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Location
Central, SC, 29630-1020 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ATL · Atlanta
121 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$29,800
Housing & food (on campus)$10,126
Books & supplies$1,060
Cost of attendance$43,620
Average net price$15,464
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$29,800
Housing & food (on campus)$10,126
Books & supplies$1,060
Cost of attendance$43,620
Average net price$15,464
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.swu.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Southern Wesleyan University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$29,500
Fees$3,000
Housing$4,870
Food$6,250
Total of the above$43,620
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$14,084
$30–48k
$14,218
$48–75k
$14,230
$75–110k
$14,899
$110k+
$17,381
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
52%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
50%
Back for yr 2
69%
Transferred
30%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
56% graduated · 28% transferred · 16% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$41,489
10 yrs after entry$47,756
Debt
Median at graduation$26,000
Monthly payment$276
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$27.9k
90th percentile$39,668
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (small programs): 50% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
100%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1140
R 530–620 · M 510–590
ACT midpoint
21
Comp 22–28 · E 21–31 · M 19–26
SAT middle 50%: 1040–1210
40080012001600

Wondering if Southern Wesleyan University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If Southern Wesleyan University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 38%Women 62%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
43%
First-gen
39%
Family income
$37,260
Independent
43%
Age at entry
26.0
Part-time
22%
Race & ethnicity
White
69%
Hispanic
9%
Black
15%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$41,489
After 10 yrs
$47,756
Business Administration, Management and Operations57
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services24
Human Services, General18
Religion/Religious Studies15
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other14
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods13
Criminology9
Communication and Media Studies8
Biology, General8
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness8
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs8
Chemistry6
Psychology, General6
Music5
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas4
Security Science and Technology4
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$10M
Full-time faculty
100%
Faculty salary
$5,744/mo
Teaching spend
$6,423
per student
Federal loans
78%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (small programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Southern Wesleyan University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search