South Plains College vs. Southwest University at El Paso

Comparable Facts

Compare South Plains College in Levelland, TX with Southwest University at El Paso in El Paso, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Plains College is larger than Southwest University at El Paso based on total student enrollment (9,098 students vs. 2,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• South Plains College is located in Levelland, TX (Distant Town setting); Southwest University at El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• South Plains 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: South Plains College 16:1; Southwest University at El Paso 20:1.

South Plains College vs. Southwest University at El Paso Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Plains 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 South Plains College than Southwest University at El Paso ($6,494 vs. $16,906).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest University at El Paso are 20.8% lower than at South Plains College ($4,340 vs. $5,481).
• Southwest University at El Paso is 235.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Plains College (about $11,229 more per year; $16,000.00 vs. $4,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 210.4% higher at Southwest University at El Paso than at South Plains College (about $10,845 more per year; $16,000.00 vs. $5,155.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest University at El Paso than at South Plains College (96% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Plains College students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Southwest University at El Paso students ($7,114 vs. $7,081).

South Plains College vs. Southwest University at El Paso Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Plains 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 South Plains College.

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

South Plains College vs. Southwest University at El Paso Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for South Plains 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, South Plains College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Southwest University at El Paso graduates ($10,500 vs. $15,500).
• Among borrowers, South Plains College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest University at El Paso graduates ($108 vs. $160).
• More South Plains College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest University at El Paso students, three years after graduation. (40% 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.