University of the Southwest
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students from lower-income families. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here; freshman retention is below 65%. 55% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
University of the Southwest is a private nonprofit institution located in Hobbs, New Mexico with approximately 346 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $16,927 per year. The graduation rate is 17%, and the typical graduate earns $41,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of the Southwest is a private Christian university in Hobbs, New Mexico, United States. It was incorporated as College of the Southwest in 1962, although the college had existed for several years prior as a two-year Baptist educational institution.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 27% graduation rate and 53% freshman retention rate suggest many students struggle to finish, which is a serious red flag worth investigating before enrolling. On the positive side, debt at graduation is relatively low at $14,000, and the small enrollment of 337 undergrads means a more personal experience — but that only matters if you make it to graduation day. Worth considering only if you've spoken directly with advisors about support systems and have a clear plan for staying on track.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 28% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 39 | $59,588 | $60,111 | −$523 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 12 | $49,484 | $62,033 | −$12,549 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 8 | $47,483 | $59,571 | −$12,088 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5 | $104,595 | $103,485 | +$1,110 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a master's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (346 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Schools Like This in New Mexico
Olympian Academy of Cosmetology
LAS CRUCES, NM · Private for-profit
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
Santa Fe, NM · Public
University of New Mexico-Taos Campus
Ranchos de Taos, NM · Public
New Mexico Military Institute
Roswell, NM · Public
Mesalands Community College
Tucumcari, NM · Public
New Mexico State University-Grants
Grants, NM · Public
See How Colleges Compare
University of the Southwest is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does University of the Southwest cost?
The average net price at University of the Southwest is about $16,927 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at University of the Southwest?
University of the Southwest has a graduation rate of 17%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.