Lone Star College System vs. Southwest University at El Paso

Comparable Facts

Compare Lone Star College System in The Woodlands, TX with Southwest University at El Paso in El Paso, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lone Star College System is larger than Southwest University at El Paso based on total student enrollment (73,077 students vs. 2,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lone Star College System is located in The Woodlands, TX (Small Suburban setting); Southwest University at El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• Lone Star College System is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwest University at El Paso is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lone Star College System 22:1; Southwest University at El Paso 20:1.

Lone Star College System vs. Southwest University at El Paso Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lone Star College System or Southwest University at El Paso? 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 Lone Star College System than Southwest University at El Paso ($11,686 vs. $16,906).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest University at El Paso are 59.7% lower than at Lone Star College System ($4,340 vs. $10,756).
• Southwest University at El Paso is 114.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lone Star College System (about $8,530 more per year; $16,000.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.4% higher at Southwest University at El Paso than at Lone Star College System (about $6,610 more per year; $16,000.00 vs. $9,390.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest University at El Paso than at Lone Star College System (96% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest University at El Paso students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Lone Star College System students ($7,081 vs. $6,315).

Lone Star College System vs. Southwest University at El Paso Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lone Star College System or Southwest University at El Paso? 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 Southwest University at El Paso and Lone Star College System.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lone Star College System - Open admission; Southwest University at El Paso - Open admission.

Lone Star College System vs. Southwest University at El Paso Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lone Star College System and Southwest University at El Paso? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lone Star College System graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Southwest University at El Paso graduates ($9,500 vs. $15,500).
• Among borrowers, Lone Star College System graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest University at El Paso graduates ($98 vs. $160).
• More Lone Star College System graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest University at El Paso students, three years after graduation. (29% vs. 17%)

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.