USW vs. Cameron University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM with Cameron University in Lawton, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cameron University is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (3,696 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting); Cameron University is in Lawton, OK (Small City setting).
• University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cameron University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Southwest 21:1; Cameron University 18:1.

USW vs. Cameron University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USW or Cameron University? 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 Cameron University than USW ($11,320 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 15.2% lower than at Cameron University ($8,100 vs. $9,554).
• University of the Southwest is 135% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cameron University (about $9,575 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $7,095.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at USW than at Cameron University (about $155 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $16,515.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Cameron University (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Southwest students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Cameron University students ($10,436 vs. $9,470).

USW vs. Cameron University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USW or Cameron University? 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 Cameron University and USW.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USW - Open admission; Cameron University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Cameron University students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at USW (2.63).

USW vs. Cameron University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USW and Cameron University? 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).

• Cameron University's six-year graduation rate (19%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Cameron University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $36,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cameron University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($18,750 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Cameron University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($193 vs. $242).
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cameron University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 37%)

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.