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Southern Wesleyan University

Central, SC·Private·www.swu.edu/

Campus Identity

Lake LifeNCAA D2PhD Programs

Southern Wesleyan University is a small private nonprofit university in Central, SC. Approximately 747 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 100% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Keowee, just 9 miles from the water. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 73/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Southern Wesleyan University is a small private nonprofit university in Central, SC. Approximately 747 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 100% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Keowee, just 9 miles from the water. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 73/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

100%
Acceptance Rate
427 applications
24
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 22–28
$29,800
2024-25 Tuition
$15,464
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$10,126
Room & Board
21 meals/week
747
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
33%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
52%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity100% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

530560620

SAT Math

510540590

Campus Lifestyle

Southern Wesleyan University is a under 1,000, suburban school with NCAA D2 athletics. The campus is 32 miles from Sapphire Valley Ski Area.

Athletics

NCAA D2

Carolinas

School Size & Setting

Under 1,000

Suburban setting

Weather

Warm Climate

56°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Southern Wesleyan University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Sapphire Valley Ski Area, 32 miles away with 3 lifts and 8 skiable acres. All are within 78 miles of campus.

32 mi away
8 skiable acres3 lifts
Cataloochee Ski Area

North Carolina

61 mi away
50 skiable acres5 lifts
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

North Carolina

78 mi away
65 skiable acres4 lifts

Lake Life Campus

Lake Keowee is 9 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving Southern Wesleyan University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Keowee

Lake access within 8.7 miles

9 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Central, SC

Central has a mild climate, with winters averaging 43°F in Jan and summers peaking around 80°F in Jul.

43°Jan46°Feb53°Mar61°Apr69°May76°Jun80°Jul79°Aug73°Sep62°Oct52°Nov45°Dec

Station: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Southern Wesleyan University in SC earns a composite safety score of 73/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.

73/100
Pretty Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety6210059
62/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
100/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
59/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$29,800
Fees
$750
Room & Board
$10,126
Total
$40,676
App Fee: $25
Meal Plan: 21 meals/week
$15,464avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

46 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
57 grads/yr$62,278
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesBachelor's
24 grads/yr
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and ResearchDoctoral
21 grads/yr
Human Services, GeneralBachelor's
18 grads/yr$47,528
Educational Administration and SupervisionMaster's
17 grads/yr$66,845

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's10 grads$83,798
Educational Administration and Supervision
Master's17 grads$66,845
Human Resources Management and Services
Master's12 grads$65,410
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's57 grads$62,278
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Master's5 grads$55,963
Criminology
Bachelor's9 grads$52,534
Biology, General
Bachelor's8 grads$47,882
Human Services, General
Bachelor's18 grads$47,528
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Associate's12 grads$44,824
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
Bachelor's24 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Southern Wesleyan University located?

Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC. The main campus address is 907 Wesleyan Drive, Central, SC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Southern Wesleyan University?

Southern Wesleyan University has an acceptance rate of 100%, making it accessible. Out of 427 applicants, 425 were admitted in the most recent year. 747 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Southern Wesleyan University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Southern Wesleyan University scored between 22 and 28 on the ACT, with a median of 24. About 9% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Southern Wesleyan University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Southern Wesleyan University charges $29,800/year in tuition. Including room and board ($10,126/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $26,498/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,464/year — what students actually pay. Use Southern Wesleyan University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Southern Wesleyan University?

The undergraduate application fee at Southern Wesleyan University is $25. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Southern Wesleyan University have college sports?

Yes — Southern Wesleyan University competes at the NCAA D2 level in the Carolinas. Division II programs offer athletic scholarships and competitive sports programs while balancing academics and athletics.

Is Southern Wesleyan University the right fit for me?

Whether Southern Wesleyan University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (100% admit rate), avg net price ($15,464/year after aid), campus culture in Central, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Southern Wesleyan University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Southern Wesleyan University directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Central, SC
Size
Under 1,000
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D2
Conference
Carolinas
School Year Weather
Warm · 56°F avg
App Fee
$25
On Campus Safety Score
73/100
Nearest Airport
Anderson, SC (AND) · 16 mialso GMU (25 mi), GSP (33 mi)

Location

Central, SC

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.