UNM vs. USW

Comparable Facts

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

University of New Mexico Main Campus is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of New Mexico Main Campus is located in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of New Mexico 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: University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

UNM vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNM 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus than USW ($6,347 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 32.6% lower than at University of New Mexico Main Campus ($8,100 vs. $12,026).
• University of the Southwest is 64.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $6,530 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.3% higher at UNM than at University of the Southwest (about $16,390 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at University of the Southwest (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 25.9% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($13,140 vs. $10,436).

UNM vs. USW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNM 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 UNM.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNM - Test optional; USW - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman UNM students have a 0.79 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at USW (2.63).

UNM vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNM 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).

• University of New Mexico Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($201 vs. $242).
• More UNM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.