Southern Wesleyan Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Southern Wesleyan University is a private research university in Central, South Carolina, enrolling about 747 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 99.53% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $47,756 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $29,800
- 2024 Average Net Price: $15,464 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 99.53% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 747 78.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 52.36%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
- First-Generation Students: 39.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 18.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1140
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 867
- Applicants (IPEDS): 472
- Room & Board: $10,126 annual estimate
Southern Wesleyan University: what the data shows
Common questions about Southern Wesleyan University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Southern Wesleyan University?
Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (ZIP 29630-1020).
NCES locale classification: Rural distant.
Is Southern Wesleyan University public or private?
Southern Wesleyan University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Southern Wesleyan University cost?
Published tuition: $29,800.
Average net price after aid: $15,464.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,084 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,218 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,230 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $14,899 |
| $110,001+ | $17,381 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $119,200.
How hard is it to get into Southern Wesleyan University?
Admission rate: 99.53%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1140 and midpoint ACT 21.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Southern Wesleyan University?
Total enrollment: 747 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 867 students.
Graduate enrollment: 196 students.
About 78% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Wesleyan University?
150%-time completion rate: 52.36%.
First-year retention: 69.0%.
What do graduates of Southern Wesleyan University earn?
Median earnings: $41,489 six years after entry; $47,756 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $26,000.
43.07% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Southern Wesleyan University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (57 completions)
- Mental Health Counseling/Counselor (24 completions)
- Operations Management and Supervision (16 completions)
- Human Development and Family Studies, General (15 completions)
- Public Administration and Social Service (15 completions)
- Psychology, General (10 completions)
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other (9 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (9 completions)
- Religion/Religious Studies (9 completions)
- Criminology (9 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Southern Wesleyan University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 99.53%; completion rate 52.36%; median earnings $47,756 at 10 years; net price $15,464. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$29,800
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Southern Wesleyan University was $29,800.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$15,464
2024 Value
In 2024 Southern Wesleyan University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,464.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$61,856 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$15,464 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$119,200 4-Year Tuition
$10,126 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,060 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$40,986 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$163,944 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Southern Wesleyan University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
43.07% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
78.24% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Southern Wesleyan University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Southern Wesleyan University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $22,200 | $22,200 | $17,796 |
| 2014 | $22,950 | $22,950 | $16,611 |
| 2015 | $23,620 | $23,620 | $16,706 |
| 2016 | $24,110 | $24,110 | $15,085 |
| 2017 | $24,700 | $24,700 | $16,130 |
| 2018 | $25,476 | $25,476 | $17,188 |
| 2019 | $25,516 | $25,516 | $17,750 |
| 2020 | $25,676 | $25,676 | $17,722 |
| 2021 | $26,498 | $26,498 | $19,352 |
| 2022 | $27,820 | $27,820 | $16,920 |
| 2023 | $27,870 | $27,870 | $19,968 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
99.53% Acceptance Rate
472 Total Applicants
472 Students Admitted
159 First-Time Students Enrolled
33.69% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1140
ACT Average: 21
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Southern Wesleyan University reported total enrollment of about 747 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (68.8%), Black or African American (15.0%), and Hispanic or Latino (8.6%). About 43.07% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 39.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
78.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Southern Wesleyan University in 2024 is 747 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 867 students. Graduate enrollment is about 196 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
69.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 68.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
50.26% 100% Completion Time
52.36% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 50.26% of students graduating from Southern Wesleyan University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 51% male / 49% female
- Mental Health Counseling/Counselor: 12% male / 88% female
- Operations Management and Supervision: 38% male / 62% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Southern Wesleyan University.
Return on Investment
$26,000 Median Student Debt
$47,756 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
54.44% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
672.05% Return on Investment
5.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Southern Wesleyan University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 31 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 57 completions
2. Mental Health Counseling/Counselor: 24 completions
3. Operations Management and Supervision: 16 completions
4. Human Development and Family Studies, General: 15 completions
5. Public Administration and Social Service: 15 completions
6. Psychology, General: 10 completions
7. Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other: 9 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 9 completions
9. Religion/Religious Studies: 9 completions
Most popular programs at Southern Wesleyan University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Southern Wesleyan University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Southern Wesleyan University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $5,744
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $6,423
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Southern Wesleyan University is a private non-profit institution located in Central, SC, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Mental Health Counseling/Counselor, Operations Management and Supervision. Enrollment is approximately 747 students. Student body composition includes White (68.8%), Black or African American (15.0%), Hispanic or Latino (8.6%). The admission rate is 99.53%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1140. The 150%-time completion rate is 52.36%. Approximately 43.07% of students receive Pell Grants. About 39.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Location
Central, SC 29630-1020
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Southern Wesleyan University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Southern Wesleyan University located?
Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC.
What is Southern Wesleyan University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Southern Wesleyan University is 99.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 472 applicants and 472 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Southern Wesleyan University cost?
Reported tuition is $29,800 and average net price is $15,464 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,126 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Southern Wesleyan University?
Southern Wesleyan University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 867 students, White (68.8%), Black or African American (15.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Southern Wesleyan University?
About 39.1% of students at Southern Wesleyan University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Southern Wesleyan University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Southern Wesleyan University reports midpoint SAT about 1140 and midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of Southern Wesleyan University earn?
Median earnings are $41,489 six years after entry and $47,756 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Wesleyan University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 52.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Southern Wesleyan University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $26,000.
Is Southern Wesleyan University public or private?
Southern Wesleyan University is a private nonprofit institution located in Central, SC.
Is Southern Wesleyan University an HBCU?
No. Southern Wesleyan University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Southern Wesleyan University a tribal college?
No. Southern Wesleyan University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.