USW vs. Western New Mexico University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM with Western New Mexico University in Silver City, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western New Mexico University is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (3,531 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting); Western New Mexico University is in Silver City, NM (Remote Town setting).
• University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New Mexico University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Southwest 21:1; Western New Mexico University 12:1.

USW vs. Western New Mexico University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USW or Western New Mexico 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 Western New Mexico University than USW ($9,477 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 26% lower than at Western New Mexico University ($8,100 vs. $10,940).
• University of the Southwest is 111.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western New Mexico University (about $8,802 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $7,868.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at USW than at Western New Mexico University (about $2,328 more per year; $16,670.00 vs. $14,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest than at Western New Mexico University (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New Mexico University students is 21.4% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($12,666 vs. $10,436).

USW vs. Western New Mexico University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USW or Western New Mexico 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 Western New Mexico 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; Western New Mexico University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western New Mexico University Aug 12, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USW students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (2.63) than students at Western New Mexico University (2.5).

USW vs. Western New Mexico University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USW and Western New Mexico 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).

• University of the Southwest's six-year graduation rate (18%) is higher than Western New Mexico University's (13%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Western New Mexico University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western New Mexico University graduates have a $2,814 lower median loan debt than USW graduates ($20,686 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Western New Mexico University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USW graduates ($213 vs. $242).
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western New Mexico University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 34%)

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.