USW vs. Albright College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM with Albright College in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Albright College is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (1,380 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting); Albright College is in Reading, PA (Small City setting).
• University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Albright College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Southwest 21:1; Albright College 11:1.

USW vs. Albright College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USW or Albright College? 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 the Southwest than Albright College ($17,243 vs. $20,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 43.9% lower than at Albright College ($8,100 vs. $14,426).
• Albright College is 74.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $12,412 more per year; $29,082.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.5% higher at Albright College than at University of the Southwest (about $12,412 more per year; $29,082.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Albright College than at University of the Southwest (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Albright College students is 121.1% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($23,069 vs. $10,436).

USW vs. Albright College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USW or Albright College? 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 Albright College and USW.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USW - Open admission; Albright College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Albright College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.05) than students at USW (2.63).

USW vs. Albright College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USW and Albright College? 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).

• Albright College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from Albright College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than USW graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Albright College graduates ($23,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Albright College graduates ($242 vs. $289).
• More Albright College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.