Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) vs Gordon College

Southern Wesleyan University and Gordon College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Southern Wesleyan, a private Christian university in Central, South Carolina, boasts a welcoming community with a strong emphasis on faith-based learning. Gordon College, a private Christian liberal arts college in Wenham, Massachusetts, is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and commitment to community service. While both universities share a Christian foundation, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Gordon College logo

Gordon College

Southern Wesleyan University logo

Southern Wesleyan University

Overview

Location Wenham, Massachusetts Central, South Carolina
Campus setting Suburb: Large Suburb: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 79.0% 72.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation Interdenominational Methodism

Admission

Acceptance rate 77.4% 56.6%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $75
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $25
SAT range 1153 - 1370 980 - 1168
ACT range 24 - 30 18 - 24
Students submitting SAT score 24.0% 45.0%
Students submitting ACT score 8.0% 36.0%
Total number of applicants 1,462 749
Total number of admissions given out 1,132 424
Admitted students who chose to enroll 317 163
Yield rate 28.0% 38.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $40,910 $35,643
Average net price $25,917 $19,479
Tuition $25,250 $25,748
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,480

Meal plan: $4,220
Room/dormitory: $4,234

Meal plan: $5,018
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $26,364
100.0%
Average amount $18,506
Students receiving federal student loan 68.0%
Average amount $7,144
68.0%
Average amount $5,469
Students taking out private loans 13.0%
Average amount $14,683
12.0%
Average amount $8,327

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,368
Men 39.5% Women 60.5%
1,043
Men 33.9% Women 66.1%
Graduate students 436
Men 26.4% Women 73.6%
257
Men 20.2% Women 79.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 8.4% 1.2%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 1,390 570
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Mississippi Connecticut New Hampshire New York New Jersey N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Education
  • Liberal Arts
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 13:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 72.1% 52.1%
Dropout rate 27.7% 47.9%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,771
  • Year 2: $46,556
  • Year 3: $51,827
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,003
  • Year 2: $27,681
  • Year 3: $42,021
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,123
  • Year 2: $35,954
  • Year 3: $41,684
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,092
  • Year 2: $31,038
  • Year 3: $36,135
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,785
  • Year 2: $33,459
  • Year 3: $33,409
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $24,365
  • Year 2: $30,228
  • Year 3: $32,774
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $33,486
  • Year 2: $30,988
  • Year 3: $32,663
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,082
  • Year 2: $21,964
  • Year 3: $27,417
Religion/Religious Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,219
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $21,587
  • Year 2: $27,439
  • Year 3: N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,550
  • Year 2: $53,045
  • Year 3: $55,845
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,273
  • Year 2: $44,021
  • Year 3: $48,165
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,512
  • Year 2: $46,556
  • Year 3: $47,813
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,583
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $44,880
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,637
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $43,594
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,018
  • Year 2: $30,771
  • Year 3: $34,205
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $18,309
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $33,561
  • Year 2: $28,598
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $33,138
  • Year 3: N/A
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,120
  • Year 2: $24,035
  • Year 3: N/A

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