University of the Southwest is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Hobbs, New Mexico. It enrolls 346 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
54/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes22
Value40
Affordability54
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for University of the Southwest.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of the Southwest isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $16,927 per year. That's below the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$16,927
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
55%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
64%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$16,670
Room & Board (on-campus)
$8,100
Room & Board (off-campus)
$14,600
Books & Supplies
$0
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,100
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,100
Total Cost of Attendance
$28,210
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$15,384
$30,001 – $48,000
$14,090
$48,001 – $75,000
$15,943
$75,001 – $110,000
$20,077
Over $110,000
$21,985
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,75010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$21,303Medianpercentile
$20,88975%percentile
$31,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $16,444
↓ $4,859
No Pell $10,009
↓ $11,294
Dependent students $12,000
↓ $9,303
Independent students $23,000
↑ $1,697
Female students $15,880
↓ $5,423
Male students $12,125
↓ $9,178
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,500, less than completers ($21,303), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
33% of full-time students who enrolled at University of the Southwest graduate within six years, and 54% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
33%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
54%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of the Southwest earn a median of $45,389 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$45,389
Earning > $25K
71%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$35,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$53,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$37,800
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$43,100
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$46,500
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $17,900, about 34% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
16.0 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Moderate. Only 66% of graduates are paying down principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of the Southwest is home to 346 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 47% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
346
Part-Time
7%
First-Generation
47%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 64.7%224
White 16.2%56
Black 7.8%27
Other 2.3%8
Asian 0.9%3
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of the Southwest. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: RemoteHobbs, New Mexico
Housing
Mostly residential236 beds on campus
Adult Learners
12%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
What You Can Study
University of the Southwest offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
41 distinct programs across
12 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of the Southwest is 21:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
21:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$31M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$33,105
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
25 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
5
20%
$43,275
Associate Professors
6
24%
$34,875
Assistant Professors
13
52%
$28,615
No Rank
1
4%
$30,000
Pros & Cons of University of the Southwest
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of the Southwest tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Tight-knit, close community feel
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Larger class sizes than typical
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Best for:
Based on the data, University of the Southwest is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of the Southwest
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of the Southwest.
How much does University of the Southwest cost?
The average net price after aid at University of the Southwest is $16,927 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of the Southwest worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $45,389 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $16,927 per year. That's roughly 2.7x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of the Southwest known for?
University of the Southwest is best known for its programs in Counseling Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Biology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of the Southwest graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of the Southwest are $45,389, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of the Southwest accredited?
Yes. University of the Southwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of the Southwest?
University of the Southwest enrolls 346 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of the Southwest?
University of the Southwest graduates 33% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of the Southwest a public or private college?
University of the Southwest is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is University of the Southwest located?
University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, New Mexico.
What programs does University of the Southwest offer?
University of the Southwest offers 41 distinct programs. The most popular include Counseling Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Biology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of the Southwest?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of the Southwest is 21:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in New Mexico
Other colleges in New Mexico share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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