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Southwestern University

Southwestern University

Georgetown, TX · City · 1,440 students
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$29,224
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
71%
Graduation rate
69% typical
$56,878
Earnings 10 years on
$58,391 typical
43%
Acceptance rate
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

As the oldest institution of higher learning in Texas, Southwestern University in Georgetown is best known for providing a high-impact liberal arts education within a collaborative, residential community located just north of Austin. Its strongest academic offerings include business, biology, psychology, and pre-professional tracks in medicine and law, all framed by the university’s signature "Paideia" curriculum that teaches students to make interdisciplinary connections across diverse fields. The campus culture is vibrant and close-knit, featuring small discussion-based classes, accessible faculty mentorship, an active Greek life, NCAA Division III athletics, and a strong tradition of community service. A defining characteristic of Southwestern is its emphasis on practical application, guaranteeing every student access to high-impact experiences like undergraduate research, study abroad, or internships that contribute to the university's exceptionally high graduate school placement rates.


Wikipedia:Southwestern University is a private liberal arts university located in Georgetown, Texas. Established in 1840, it holds the distinction of being both the oldest college or university in Texas, and having maintained continuous, unbroken operation since its founding. While the institution evolved through a 1873 union of four earlier colleges, it remains the state's oldest academic lineage. This uninterrupted history, originating with the chartering of Rutersville College, also establishes Southwestern as the oldest continually operating university in Texas.

Location
Georgetown, TX, 78626 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
AUS · Austin
30 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$53,813
Housing & food (on campus)$15,072
Books & supplies$1,250
Cost of attendance$67,493
Average net price$29,224
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$53,813
Housing & food (on campus)$15,072
Books & supplies$1,250
Cost of attendance$67,493
Average net price$29,224
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$22,478
$30–48k
$19,096
$48–75k
$28,175
$75–110k
$30,387
$110k+
$36,332
Grants from the school
98% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $31,958
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Merit aid
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$29,955
First-years who got one147
Source: Southwestern University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
71%
Within 4 yrs
67%
Back for yr 2
81%
Transferred
23%
Pell students: 69.4% · others: 73.9% 
8 yrs after starting
73% graduated · 21% transferred · 6% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$49,249
10 yrs after entry$56,878
Debt
Median at graduation$25,000
Monthly payment$265
Middle 50% owe$12k–$28k
90th percentile$38,650
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
43%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1241
R 580–670 · M 550–630
ACT midpoint
28
Comp 26–30 · E 25–31 · M 24–29
SAT middle 50%: 1130–1300
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 39.9% · women 45.5% 
Yield: 13.8% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Southwestern University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 45%Women 55%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
25%
First-gen
20%
Family income
$74,646
Independent
7%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
1%
Where first-years come from
In state (TX)
89.0%
Out of state
8.8%
International
1.9%

Most out-of-state first-years from: CA 10 · NV 3 · OK 3 · AZ 2 · FL 2

Race & ethnicity
White
51%
Hispanic
30%
Black
6%
Asian
3%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
2%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$49,249
After 10 yrs
$56,878
Business/Commerce, General89
Psychology, General43
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness40
Communication and Media Studies28
Political Science and Government28
Biology, General26
Education, General21
Economics20
Natural Resources Conservation and Research16
Fine and Studio Arts13
History13
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics12
English Language and Literature, General12
Mathematics12
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology10
Computer and Information Sciences, General9
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$404M
Full-time faculty
77%
Faculty salary
$8,920/mo
Teaching spend
$17,431
per student
Federal loans
46%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Southwestern University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search