USW vs. SWOSU

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern Oklahoma State University is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (5,186 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting); Southwestern Oklahoma State University is in Weatherford, OK (Remote Town setting).
• University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Southwest 21:1; Southwestern Oklahoma State University 19:1.

USW vs. SWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USW or SWOSU? 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University than USW ($14,410 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are 5.8% lower than at University of the Southwest ($7,634 vs. $8,100).
• University of the Southwest is 96.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWOSU (about $8,201 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $8,469.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.1% higher at USW than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (about $8,171 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $8,499.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Southwest students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Southwestern Oklahoma State University students ($10,436 vs. $8,906).

USW vs. SWOSU Admissions comparison

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

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwestern Oklahoma State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USW - Open admission; SWOSU - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman SWOSU students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at USW (2.63).

USW vs. SWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USW and SWOSU? 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).

• Southwestern Oklahoma State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than USW graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $7,813 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($15,687 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, SWOSU graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($162 vs. $242).
• More SWOSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.