UnisHub University Compass

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Southern Wesleyan University

Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, Southern Wesleyan University offers a quiet, green campus with a faith-centered heartbeat. It feels unhurried, not sleepy. Academics lean on the liberal arts while building practical skills in professional fields, and the school has a reputation for thoughtful teaching and close attention from faculty. The culture feels friendly and service-minded, with conversations that stretch from the classroom to the campus lawn.

Students find dependable resources: a solid library, labs, a fitness center, chapel space, and support through tutoring, advising, counseling, and career coaching. Clubs, music, intramurals, and coffeehouse nights fill the week; weekends point to trails, lakes, and nearby towns. Career prep shows up in internships, mentoring, and connections across the Upstate. Central's small-town pace pairs with regional opportunities, suiting SWU's blend of community, purpose, and place.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
907 Wesleyan Drive, Central, South Carolina, 29630, USA
Website
swu.edu
Unit ID
217776

Academic & Institutional

Control
Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation
SACSCOC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Campus Setting
Located in a midsize suburb (outside principal city, 100,000–249,999 population)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Small programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$27,870
Tuition $26,520 + Fee $1,350
Out-of-State
$27,870
Tuition $26,520 + Fee $1,350
Student Profile
Total Students 1,188
Undergraduate 771
Graduate/Other 417
Male: 378 Female: 810
Applications
Total Applicants 472
Admitted 472
Enrolled 159
Acceptance: 100% Yield: 33.7%
Staff
Total Staff 233
Full-time 155
Part-time 78
Full-time: 66.5% Part-time: 33.5%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) offers 29 degree programs across 17 major academic fields, graduating approximately 255 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (3 programs, 75 graduates), Education (8 programs, 44 graduates), Health (2 programs, 31 graduates), Human Sciences (1 programs, 15 graduates) and Kinesiology (2 programs, 12 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (3 programs, 75 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 57
Bachelor's
52.0201
Operations Management and Supervision 16
Master's
52.0205
Human Resources Development 2
Master's
52.1005
Education (8 programs, 44 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Educational Assessment and Research 9
Doctorate (R)
13.0699
Elementary Education 8
Bachelor's
13.1202
Early Childhood Education 8
Bachelor's
13.1210
Educational Leadership and Administration 5
Master's
13.0401
Instructional Technology 5
Master's
13.0501
Education of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities 5
Bachelor's
13.1006
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching 3
Bachelor's
13.1314
Music Teacher Education 1
Bachelor's
13.1312
Health (2 programs, 31 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Mental Health Counseling 24
Master's
51.1508
Pre-Medicine 7
Bachelor's
51.1102
Human Sciences (1 programs, 15 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Human Development and Family Studies 15
Bachelor's
19.0701
Kinesiology (2 programs, 12 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Parks, Recreation, and Fitness 7
Bachelor's
31.9999
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 5
Bachelor's
31.0505
Psychology (1 programs, 10 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 10
Bachelor's
42.0101
Social Sciences (2 programs, 10 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminology 9
Bachelor's
45.0401
Social Sciences 1
Bachelor's
45.0101
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 9 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 9
Bachelor's
26.0101
Philosophy (1 programs, 9 graduates)
Philosophical Studies, Ethics and Religious Thought
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Religious Studies 9
Bachelor's
38.0201
Communication (1 programs, 8 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 8
Bachelor's
09.0101

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Southern Wesleyan University (SWU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
980 - 1200
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 500 - 600
Median: 565
Math 480 - 600
Median: 555
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
19 - 24
25th-75th percentile
English 17 - 22
Median: 18
Math 18 - 23
Median: 20

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$41,909
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$41,909
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$27,870
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$27,870
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$10,654 (on) / $9,183 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,060
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$2,325 (on) / $2,700 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$2,145
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$13,746
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$13,746
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

16%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$18,771
Avg. Loan
$7,295
Avg. Federal Loan
$6,000
Additional
Students with Any Grant
144
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
103
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
66
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$11,604
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

52%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
66%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$33,318 – $70,437
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$33,318 (25th %) $70,437 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $47,756
Median Salary After 6 Years
$41,489
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$47,756
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
47.6%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
55.9%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$26,000
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 37.8%
Middle 51.4%
High 62.9%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 54.4%
Independent 43.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Southern Wesleyan University (SWU)

How much does it cost to attend Southern Wesleyan University (SWU)?

The annual tuition at Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) is $27,870 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $41,909 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $10,654 (on) / $9,183 (off) and books and supplies $1,060.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Southern Wesleyan University offer?

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) offers 29 academic programs across 17 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research).

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (3 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (8 programs)
  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (2 programs)
  • Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development (1 programs)
  • Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (2 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Southern Wesleyan University?

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) has an 100% acceptance rate and a 33.7% yield rate, making it moderately selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 472
  • Students admitted: 472
  • Students enrolled: 159

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Southern Wesleyan University?

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) provides financial aid to 16% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $18,771 and average loans of $7,295.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,125
  • State/Local grants: $7,846
  • Institutional grants: $11,604
  • Federal loans: $6,000

The university supports 144 students with grants and 103 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Southern Wesleyan University graduates?

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) graduates earn a median salary of $41,489 after 6 years and $47,756 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $33,318 (25th percentile) to $70,437 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $88,400 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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