ENMU vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus in Portales, NM with University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (5,725 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is located in Portales, NM (Remote Town setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus 18:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

ENMU vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ENMU 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 Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus than USW ($6,416 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 4.1% lower than at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ($8,100 vs. $8,446).
• University of the Southwest is 131.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ENMU (about $9,476 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $7,194.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.7% higher at USW than at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus (about $7,496 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $9,174.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus as at University of the Southwest (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus students is 12.7% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($11,757 vs. $10,436).

ENMU vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ENMU 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 ENMU.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ENMU - Test optional; USW - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: ENMU Aug 24, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ENMU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at USW (2.63).

ENMU vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ENMU 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).

• Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (24%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than ENMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $33,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus graduates have a $9,233 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($14,267 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, ENMU graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($147 vs. $242).
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ENMU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 46%)

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.