USW vs. UTEP

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM with The University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at El Paso is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (25,039 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting); The University of Texas at El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Southwest 21:1; The University of Texas at El Paso 21:1.

USW vs. UTEP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USW or UTEP? 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 The University of Texas at El Paso than USW ($9,305 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 25.4% lower than at The University of Texas at El Paso ($8,100 vs. $10,864).
• University of the Southwest is 71.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTEP (about $6,926 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $9,744.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53% higher at UTEP than at University of the Southwest (about $8,832 more per year; $25,502.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at The University of Texas at El Paso (99% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at El Paso students is 1.3% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($10,571 vs. $10,436).

USW vs. UTEP Admissions comparison

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

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Texas at El Paso 860/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Texas at El Paso 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USW - Open admission; UTEP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTEP May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTEP students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at USW (2.63).

USW vs. UTEP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USW and UTEP? 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).

• The University of Texas at El Paso's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than UTEP graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at El Paso graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($17,250 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UTEP graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($178 vs. $242).
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTEP students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 45%)

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.