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University of the Southwest

#6 Best Education Colleges in New Mexico
Private nonprofit Hobbs, NM · Town · Southwest · 87% data
C+ Earnings C Value C Affordability
Graduation Rate
23% F
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$45,389 C+
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$16,927 C
Close to the national average
Enrollment
346
Earnings +11% vs avg
Graduation -60% vs avg
Net Price +-1% vs avg

Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 17.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.6 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Education Colleges in New Mexico.

17.6× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $17.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,125,763.

What The Data Says

  1. A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduation of 23% — 60% below the national average.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $17.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About University of the Southwest

University of the Southwest is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private University
Carnegie Class
Master's University
Enrollment
346
Setting
Town
Designations
HSI
Primary Strengths
Education, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Biology & Biomedical

Why students choose University of the Southwest

Strength in Education
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C-
Top 55% overall
C+
Earnings
$45,389 median
C
Value
2.7× net price
C
Affordability
$16,927/yr net
F
Graduation
23% graduate
C-
Diversity
0.55 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →
1
Can I Get In?

Admissions

Open / non-selective

This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

C
$16,927/yr net

Students pay about $16,927 a year after grants and scholarships — 1% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

C+
$45,389 median

Graduates earn a median of $45,389 ten years after enrolling — 11% above the typical college, against $21,303 in median debt.

See outcomes →
4
Does It Change Lives?

Mobility + social capital

Limited data

Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.

See mobility →

Overview

At the University of the Southwest, with an enrollment of just 346 students, you’ll find a close-knit environment that caters primarily to those interested in fields like Humanities, Education, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. This small size fosters personal connections and mentorship opportunities, appealing to students who thrive in a more intimate academic setting. If you’re looking for a place where you can engage deeply with your professors and classmates, this might be a great fit.

Graduates of the University of the Southwest earn an average of $45,389 within ten years of finishing their degrees. While the graduation rate sits at 23%, it’s important to consider that many students here are working hard to navigate their educational paths. Affordability is also a key factor, as 55% of students receive Pell Grants, which can significantly ease the financial burden. This affordability is critical for those who may need extra support as they transition into their careers.

When it comes to the financial aspects, the net price after aid is about $16,927, and the median debt load stands at $21,303. This means students can graduate with a manageable amount of debt, especially considering the potential earnings in their fields. Those who tend to thrive at the University of the Southwest are likely those who value community and support, and who are dedicated to making the most of their educational experience—even if the path isn’t traditional.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective University of the Southwest is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into University of the Southwest? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Hobbs, New Mexico, University of the Southwest enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 23%.

Retention Rate
55%
Full-Time Faculty
100%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$3,737
Student–Faculty Ratio
19:1
Diversity Index
0.55
First-Gen Students
47%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of the Southwest? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at University of the Southwest is $16,670, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,927. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,384 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,303 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$16,670
Out-of-State
$16,670
Avg Net Price
$16,927
Median Debt
$21,303
Pell Grant Rate
55%
Federal Loan Rate
64%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$15,384
Family Income $30K–$48K
$14,090
Family Income $48K–$75K
$15,943
Family Income $110K+
$21,985

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of the Southwest — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is University of the Southwest Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of University of the Southwest earn a median of $45,389, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$36,600
8 Years
$40,326
10 Years
$45,389
Debt-to-Earnings
0.47x
Earning > $25K
64%

Earnings Trajectory

$36,600 6yr $40,326 8yr $45,389 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (6)
13%
100% (6)
13%
100% (6)
13%
100% (6)
13%

How University Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation23%Earnings 10yr$45KNet Price$17KRetention55%Median Debt$21KPell Grant Rate55%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$15K$0-30K$14K$30-48K$16K$48-75K$22K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is University of the Southwest Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, University of the Southwest delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,927/year ($67,708 total). Graduates earn $45,389 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,193,471 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,125,763 (17.6× your investment). The median debt is $21,303, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 23% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$67,708
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,193,471
Net Return
$1,125,763
ROI Multiple
17.6×
Cost Per Year
$16,927
Median Debt
$21,303
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
23%
Explore all University of ROI scenarios

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Federal Grants
$1,566,253
Investment Income
$1,304,100

Top Programs

The fields University of the Southwest awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of the Southwest's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into University of the Southwest? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Hobbs, New Mexico, University of the Southwest enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 23%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of the Southwest? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at University of the Southwest is $16,670, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,927. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,384 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,303 in federal student loans.

Is University of the Southwest Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of University of the Southwest earn a median of $45,389, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

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