McDaniel College vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• McDaniel 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: McDaniel College 13:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

McDaniel College vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel 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 McDaniel College ($17,243 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 37.6% lower than at McDaniel College ($8,100 vs. $12,974).
• McDaniel College is 212.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $35,411 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 212.4% higher at McDaniel College than at University of the Southwest (about $35,411 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at University of the Southwest (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 290.2% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($40,721 vs. $10,436).

McDaniel College vs. USW Admissions comparison

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

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; USW - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 1.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at USW (2.63).

McDaniel College vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than USW graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 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 McDaniel College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.