Dean College vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA 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 Dean College based on total student enrollment (1,130 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

Dean College vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College 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 Dean College ($17,243 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 59.2% lower than at Dean College ($8,100 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 179.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $29,856 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 179.1% higher at Dean College than at University of the Southwest (about $29,856 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at University of the Southwest (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 215.8% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($32,958 vs. $10,436).

Dean College vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College 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 Dean College.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; USW - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Dean College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (2.88) than students at USW (2.63).

Dean College vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $7,147 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($16,353 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($169 vs. $242).
• More Dean College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.