NDNU vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, 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 NDNU based on total student enrollment (1,130 students vs. 306 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Notre Dame de Namur University is located in Belmont, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Notre Dame de Namur University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Notre Dame de Namur University 6:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

NDNU vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NDNU or USW? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 46.1% lower than at Notre Dame de Namur University ($8,100 vs. $15,016).
• Notre Dame de Namur University is 117.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $19,636 more per year; $36,306.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.8% higher at NDNU than at University of the Southwest (about $19,636 more per year; $36,306.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Notre Dame de Namur University (99% vs. 0%).

NDNU vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NDNU 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 NDNU.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NDNU - Not reported; USW - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman NDNU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at USW (2.63).

NDNU vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NDNU 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).

• Notre Dame de Namur University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from Notre Dame de Namur University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than USW graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,700 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $1,722 lower median loan debt than NDNU graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,222).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NDNU graduates ($242 vs. $260).
• More NDNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.