Gustavus Adolphus College vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN with University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus 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: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($17,243 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 31.4% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($8,100 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 236.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $39,406 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 236.4% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at University of the Southwest (about $39,406 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at University of the Southwest (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 297.2% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($41,450 vs. $10,436).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; USW - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 1.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at USW (2.63).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than USW graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.