CSE vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown, NJ with University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of the Southwest is larger than CSE based on total student enrollment (1,130 students vs. 871 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Elizabeth University is located in Morristown, NJ (Large Suburban setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Saint Elizabeth 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: Saint Elizabeth University 8:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

CSE vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSE 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 CSE ($17,243 vs. $23,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 40.7% lower than at Saint Elizabeth University ($8,100 vs. $13,652).
• Saint Elizabeth University is 120.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $20,071 more per year; $36,741.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.4% higher at CSE than at University of the Southwest (about $20,071 more per year; $36,741.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Saint Elizabeth University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Elizabeth University students is 185.1% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($29,755 vs. $10,436).

CSE vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSE 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 CSE.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSE - Test optional; USW - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman CSE students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at USW (2.63).

CSE vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSE 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).

• Saint Elizabeth University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $200 more per year than CSE graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CSE graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSE graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More CSE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.