New Mexico Highlands University vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM with University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico Highlands University is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, NM (Remote Town setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• New Mexico Highlands University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico Highlands University 10:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

New Mexico Highlands University vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Mexico Highlands University 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 New Mexico Highlands University than USW ($11,062 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 19.9% lower than at New Mexico Highlands University ($8,100 vs. $10,116).
• University of the Southwest is 124.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Mexico Highlands University (about $9,254 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $7,416.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at USW than at New Mexico Highlands University (about $4,334 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at New Mexico Highlands University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Southwest students is 7.3% larger than aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students ($10,436 vs. $9,722).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Mexico Highlands University 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 New Mexico Highlands University.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: New Mexico Highlands University - Open admission; USW - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman New Mexico Highlands University students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at USW (2.63).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for New Mexico Highlands University 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).

• New Mexico Highlands University's six-year graduation rate (21%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than New Mexico Highlands University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have a $10,498 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($13,002 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($134 vs. $242).
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Mexico Highlands University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 42%)

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.