Southwestern University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Georgetown, Texas · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Southwestern University is a private nonprofit university in Georgetown, Texas that admits about 43% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $29,224 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business/Commerce, General, Psychology, General and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 73% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Southwestern University is a private institution located in Georgetown, Texas with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Southwestern University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 43%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1230 and an ACT composite around 28. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $29,224 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Southwestern University?
57% of enrolled students at Southwestern University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Southwestern University weight in admissions?
Southwestern University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Interview
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • First generation status
- • Alumni/ae relation
- • Geographical residence
- • State residency
- • Volunteer work
- • Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores Southwestern University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 550–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 635. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1140 |
| 50th percentile | 1230 |
| 75th percentile | 1290 |
| % submitting SAT | 44% |
| 25th percentile | 26 |
| 50th percentile | 29 |
| 75th percentile | 30 |
| % submitting ACT | 13% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 26% |
| Top 25% of class | 60% |
| Top 50% of class | 89% |
| % submitting class rank | 63% |
How much does Southwestern University actually cost?
Published tuition is $53,813 for in-state students and $53,813 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,072 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $29,224 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 25% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $29,224 |
| Application fee | $0 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Southwestern University
| Regular deadline | 1st Tuesday in June |
| Notification date | 1st Tuesday in April |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | 1st Tuesday of November |
| ED acceptance rate | 58% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | 1st Tuesday in December |
| EA acceptance rate | 61% |
Will my child graduate from Southwestern University?
These predict outcomes at Southwestern University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Southwestern University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Southwestern University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business/Commerce, General, Psychology, General and Biology, General. Across all programs, Southwestern University confers roughly 228 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business/Commerce, General program report a median income of about $91,444 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 60 | $91,444 |
| Psychology, General | 34 | — |
| Biology, General | 27 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 26 | — |
| Education, General | 22 | — |
| Political Science and Government | 21 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 20 | $70,325 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 18 | — |
Is Southwestern University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Southwestern University disclosed 6 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 6 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Southwestern University?
About 75% of undergraduates at Southwestern University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 31% of men join a fraternity and 28% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Texas parents ask about
- Austin College48% acceptance
- Texas Wesleyan University69% acceptance
- Rice University8% acceptance
- University of Texas at Austin27% acceptance
- Texas A&M University-College Station57% acceptance
- Southern Methodist University63% acceptance
- Baylor University51% acceptance
- Texas Christian University44% acceptance
Next steps for Southwestern University
Common questions parents ask about Southwestern University
What GPA do I need for Southwestern University?
57% of enrolled students at Southwestern University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Southwestern University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 550–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 635. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–30.
How much does Southwestern University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Southwestern University after grants and scholarships is $29,224 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $53,813. Budget against the net figure.
Is Southwestern University realistic for my child?
Southwestern University admits 43% of applicants, so 550–630 SAT Math is target range and below 550 is a reach. Then check the $29,224 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Southwestern University?
Southwestern University accepts about 43% of applicants out of roughly 6,313 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is Southwestern University test-optional?
Yes. Southwestern University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Southwestern University?
About 73% of students at Southwestern University graduate within six years. 81% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Southwestern University?
Southwestern University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 58%, compared with its overall rate of 43%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Southwestern University look for in applicants?
Southwestern University rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Southwestern University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Southwestern University is a private nonprofit institution located in Georgetown, Texas.
What are the most popular majors at Southwestern University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Southwestern University by annual graduates are Business/Commerce, General, Psychology, General and Biology, General. The school awards about 228 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Southwestern University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Southwestern University reported 6 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Southwestern University?
At Southwestern University, 75% of undergraduates live on campus, 31% of men are in fraternities, 28% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Southwestern University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers