USW vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

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

University of the Southwest is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (1,130 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Southwest 21:1; Messenger College 8:1.

USW vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USW or Messenger 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 Messenger College ($17,243 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 39.1% lower than at Messenger College ($8,100 vs. $13,305).
• University of the Southwest is 43.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $5,050 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at USW than at Messenger College (about $5,050 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Messenger College (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Southwest students is 164.9% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($10,436 vs. $3,940).

USW vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

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

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USW - Open admission; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Messenger College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (2.9) than students at USW (2.63).

USW vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USW and Messenger 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).

• University of the Southwest's six-year graduation rate (18%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $21,700 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 40%)

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.