NMSU vs. USW

Comparable Facts

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

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus 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 State University Main Campus 16:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

NMSU vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU 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 State University Main Campus than USW ($10,719 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 34% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($8,100 vs. $12,282).
• University of the Southwest is 103.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $8,487 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.8% higher at NMSU than at University of the Southwest (about $8,637 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at New Mexico State University Main Campus (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 38.2% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($14,420 vs. $10,436).

NMSU vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU 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 NMSU.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NMSU - Test optional; USW - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.92 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at USW (2.63).

NMSU vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU 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 State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $6,382 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($17,118 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($176 vs. $242).
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 44%)

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.