Georgetown, TX · Private University
Is Southwestern University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$56,878
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$51,058
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$51,058
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$204,232
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.11x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
69.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$27,468
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Southwestern University graduates earn $11,878 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Southwestern University ranked by graduate earnings
65 graduates
17 graduates
25 graduates
16 graduates
22 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Southwestern University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Southwestern University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Business/Commerce, General: $76,367) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $25,060) is $51,307/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, GeneralBest ROI | $76,367 | 1.5x |
| Education, General(1yr data) | $50,984 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,630 | 0.9x |
| Political Science and Government(1yr data) | $34,415 | 0.7x |
| Psychology, General(1yr data) | $30,373 | 0.6x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $25,060 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwestern University | 1.11x | $56,878 | Average ROI |
| Rhodes College | 1.21x | $66,651 | Average ROI |
| Austin College | 1.32x | $61,296 | Average ROI |
| Furman University | 1.18x | $68,635 | Average ROI |
| University of Dallas | 1.15x | $58,285 | Average ROI |
| The University of the South | 1.21x | $64,911 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Southwestern University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $56,878 10 years after starting — $11,878 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.3 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.