Art Center College of Design vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA with University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Art Center College of Design is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (2,308 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Art Center College of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Art Center College of Design 9:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

Art Center College of Design vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Art Center College of Design or USW? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of the Southwest than Art Center College of Design ($17,243 vs. $53,271).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 58.7% lower than at Art Center College of Design ($8,100 vs. $19,632).
• Art Center College of Design is 225% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $37,500 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 225% higher at Art Center College of Design than at University of the Southwest (about $37,500 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Art Center College of Design (99% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Art Center College of Design students is 114.8% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($22,412 vs. $10,436).

Art Center College of Design vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Art Center College of Design or USW? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USW and Art Center College of Design.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Art Center College of Design - Test-free; USW - Open admission.

Art Center College of Design vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Art Center College of Design and USW? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Art Center College of Design's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from Art Center College of Design earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than USW graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than Art Center College of Design graduates ($23,500 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Art Center College of Design graduates ($242 vs. $323).
• More Art Center College of Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.