Palo Alto College vs. Southwest University at El Paso

Comparable Facts

Compare Palo Alto College in San Antonio, TX with Southwest University at El Paso in El Paso, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Palo Alto College is larger than Southwest University at El Paso based on total student enrollment (12,395 students vs. 2,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palo Alto College is located in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting); Southwest University at El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• Palo Alto College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwest University at El Paso is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palo Alto College 31:1; Southwest University at El Paso 20:1.

Palo Alto College vs. Southwest University at El Paso Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palo Alto College or Southwest University at El Paso? 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 Palo Alto College than Southwest University at El Paso ($4,805 vs. $16,906).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest University at El Paso are 69.5% lower than at Palo Alto College ($4,340 vs. $14,250).
• Southwest University at El Paso is 188.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palo Alto College (about $10,458 more per year; $16,000.00 vs. $5,542.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.8% higher at Southwest University at El Paso than at Palo Alto College (about $6,048 more per year; $16,000.00 vs. $9,952.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest University at El Paso than at Palo Alto College (96% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest University at El Paso students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Palo Alto College students ($7,081 vs. $6,983).

Palo Alto College vs. Southwest University at El Paso Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palo Alto College or Southwest University at El Paso? 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 Southwest University at El Paso and Palo Alto College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palo Alto College - Open admission; Southwest University at El Paso - Open admission.

Palo Alto College vs. Southwest University at El Paso Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palo Alto College and Southwest University at El Paso? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palo Alto College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Southwest University at El Paso graduates ($5,500 vs. $15,500).
• Among borrowers, Palo Alto College graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest University at El Paso graduates ($56 vs. $160).
• More Palo Alto College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest University at El Paso students, three years after graduation. (38% vs. 17%)

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.