Menlo vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare Menlo College in Atherton, CA 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 Menlo based on total student enrollment (1,130 students vs. 810 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Menlo College is located in Atherton, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Menlo 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: Menlo College 14:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

Menlo vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Menlo 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 Menlo ($17,243 vs. $32,563).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 55.6% lower than at Menlo College ($8,100 vs. $18,236).
• Menlo College is 221.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $36,960 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 221.7% higher at Menlo than at University of the Southwest (about $36,960 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Menlo College than at University of the Southwest (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Menlo College students is 275.4% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($39,174 vs. $10,436).

Menlo vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Menlo 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 Menlo.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Menlo - Test-free; USW - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Menlo Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Menlo students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at USW (2.63).

Menlo vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Menlo 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).

• Menlo College's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from Menlo College earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than USW graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Menlo College graduates have a $2,438 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($21,062 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Menlo graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($217 vs. $242).
• More Menlo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.