Northern New Mexico College vs. USW

Comparable Facts

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

Northern New Mexico College is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (1,425 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northern New Mexico College vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern New Mexico 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 Northern New Mexico College than USW ($8,837 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 35.4% lower than at Northern New Mexico College ($8,100 vs. $12,540).
• University of the Southwest is 160.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern New Mexico College (about $10,270 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $6,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.3% higher at USW than at Northern New Mexico College (about $2,342 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $14,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Northern New Mexico College (99% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Southwest students is 2% larger than aid received by Northern New Mexico College students ($10,436 vs. $10,229).

Northern New Mexico College vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern New Mexico 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 Northern New Mexico College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern New Mexico College - Open admission; USW - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Northern New Mexico College students have the same average high school GPA (2.63) as students at USW (2.63).

Northern New Mexico College vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern New Mexico 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).

• Northern New Mexico College's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than Northern New Mexico College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern New Mexico College graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($9,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Northern New Mexico College graduates have an estimated $149 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($93 vs. $242).
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern New Mexico College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 40%)

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.