USW vs. Sul Ross State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM with Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sul Ross State University is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (2,384 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting); Sul Ross State University is in Alpine, TX (Remote Town setting).
• University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sul Ross State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Southwest 21:1; Sul Ross State University 11:1.

USW vs. Sul Ross State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USW or Sul Ross State 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 Sul Ross State University than USW ($14,454 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 25.6% lower than at Sul Ross State University ($8,100 vs. $10,892).
• University of the Southwest is 119.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sul Ross State University (about $9,078 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $7,592.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Sul Ross State University than at University of the Southwest (about $1,002 more per year; $17,672.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Sul Ross State University (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sul Ross State University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($10,781 vs. $10,436).

USW vs. Sul Ross State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USW or Sul Ross State 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 Sul Ross State University and USW.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSul Ross State University 930/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSul Ross State University 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USW - Open admission; Sul Ross State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Sul Ross State University students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at USW (2.63).

USW vs. Sul Ross State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USW and Sul Ross State 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).

• Sul Ross State University's six-year graduation rate (24%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Sul Ross State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sul Ross State University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 43%)

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.