Bethune-Cookman vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL with University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethune Cookman University is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (2,853 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethune Cookman University is located in Daytona Beach, FL (Small City setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bethune Cookman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethune Cookman University 17:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

Bethune-Cookman vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune Cookman University than USW ($12,476 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 22.1% lower than at Bethune Cookman University ($8,100 vs. $10,396).
• University of the Southwest is 12.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethune-Cookman (about $1,876 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $14,794.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at USW than at Bethune Cookman University (about $1,876 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $14,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Bethune Cookman University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethune Cookman University students is 64.6% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($17,181 vs. $10,436).

Bethune-Cookman vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune-Cookman.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethune Cookman University 830/990.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethune-Cookman - Test optional; USW - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Bethune-Cookman students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at USW (2.63).

Bethune-Cookman vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethune-Cookman 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).

• Bethune Cookman University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Bethune-Cookman graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $12,485 lower median loan debt than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($23,500 vs. $35,985).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($242 vs. $372).
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethune-Cookman students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 20%)

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.