Southwestern University
- Graduation Rate
- 71% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,878 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $29,224 F
- 71% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 43% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $11.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,232,772.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 39% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southwestern University Matters
Southwestern University is a private liberal arts college in Georgetown, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,440
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Southwestern University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 43% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1130–1300. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $29,224 a year after grants and scholarships — 71% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,878 ten years after enrolling — 39% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 89% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.76 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southwestern University, with an enrollment of around 1,440 students, is a great fit for those looking for a tight-knit community and engaging academic experience. The acceptance rate of 43% means that while it’s competitive, there’s still a chance for dedicated students to join. Here, you’ll find a range of programs that stand out, including Business & Marketing, Biology, Psychology, and the Visual & Performing Arts—each designed to encourage creativity and critical thinking.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a median salary of approximately $56,878 a decade post-degree. This suggests that many alumni are able to secure fulfilling careers. As for affordability, the net price after aid is about $29,224, which is manageable for a private institution. Although 25% of the students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to supporting those from lower-income backgrounds, it’s clear that the university strives to make education accessible.
On a practical note, students here tend to thrive in a supportive environment that values both academic and personal growth. The median debt upon graduation is around $25,000, which can be considered reasonable, especially given the potential earnings. With a graduation rate of 71%, it’s evident that many students find their footing and successfully complete their degrees, equipping themselves for the next chapter in their lives.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Southwestern University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southwestern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southwestern University, located in Georgetown, Texas, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 43%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,241. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 43%
- Retention Rate
- 81%
- SAT Average
- 1241
- ACT Midpoint
- 28
- SAT Range
- 1130–1300
- ACT Range
- 26–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 77%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,920
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.64
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 5,557
- Admitted
- 2,489
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Southwestern University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds.
- Submitted SAT
- 44%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 13%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 57% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southwestern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwestern University is $53,813, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,224. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,478 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $53,813
- Out-of-State
- $53,813
- Avg Net Price
- $29,224
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,478
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,096
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $28,175
- Family Income $110K+
- $36,332
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Southwestern University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southwestern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwestern University earn a median of $56,878, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,249
- 8 Years
- $52,689
- 10 Years
- $56,878
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (253)
- 66%
- 100% (253)
- 66%
- 100% (253)
- 66%
- 100% (253)
- 66%
How Southwestern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Southwestern University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southwestern University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $29,224/year ($116,896 total). Graduates earn $56,878 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,349,668 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,232,772 (11.5× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 71% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $116,896
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,349,668
- Net Return
- $1,232,772
- ROI Multiple
- 11.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $29,224
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Southwestern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwestern University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.77%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $130,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.77%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 24.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $177,440
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,552,933
- Investment Income
- $1,042,310
Top Programs
The fields Southwestern University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 24% $57,547 early-career
- Social Sciences 12%
- Psychology 11% $30,848 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $39,809 early-career
- Communications 8% $39,121 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Education 5% $55,884 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southwestern University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southwestern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southwestern University, located in Georgetown, Texas, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 43%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,241. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southwestern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwestern University is $53,813, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,224. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,478 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Southwestern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwestern University earn a median of $56,878, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Southwestern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwestern University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.77%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $130,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southwestern University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southwestern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Southwestern University offer Early Decision?
No. Southwestern University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Southwestern University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 57% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Southwestern University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southwestern University.
- University of LynchburgLynchburg, VA · Close peer60% grad $56,380 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of DallasIrving, TX · Close peer70% grad $58,285 earn 53% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- LeTourneau UniversityLongview, TX · Close peer60% grad $57,103 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Russell Sage CollegeTroy, NY · Close peer59% grad $58,316 earn 53% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Marywood UniversityScranton, PA · Close peer72% grad $55,817 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lawrence UniversityAppleton, WI · Close peer77% grad $55,789 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southwestern University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southwestern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note