University of the Southwest campus
University of the Southwest logo

University of the Southwest

Type 4 year, Private
Business Model Non Profit
Campus locale Rural: Fringe
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 244
Student to faculty ratio 19 to 1
Acceptance rate 45%
Students retention rate 69%
On-time graduation rate 9%

Located in Hobbs, New Mexico, University of the Southwest is a private, non profit institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

One of the notable aspects of University of the Southwest is its open admission policy. This means that all high school graduates and individuals who hold a GED qualification are eligible to apply for admission. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to pursue their higher education goals, regardless of their academic background.

University of the Southwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

The student-to-faculty ratio at University of the Southwest is 19-to-1, which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages. The state average student-to-faculty ratio in New Mexico is 11-to-1, while the national average is 12-to-1. A lower student-to-faculty ratio generally allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty.

While the on-time graduation rate at University of the Southwest is reported to be 9%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, New Mexico state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 36% whereas the national average was 58%.

The student retention rate of 69% at University of the Southwest suggests that a significant percentage of students choose to continue their studies at the institution after their first-year.


  • Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2019 admitted students

45.4%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$16,200

Cost of attendance at University of the Southwest in 2022 for students from New Mexico.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

New Mexico's average $6,451
National average $30,235

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$16,200

Cost of attendance at University of the Southwest in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

New Mexico's average $14,455
National average $30,238

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 96 of freshman students at University of the Southwest received on average $11,782 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$11,782
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 45 55% $4,792 $215,640
Other Federal Grant 70 85% $6,024 $421,661
State Grant/Scholarships 3 4% $2,500 $7,500
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 76 93% $6,601 $501,640
Total Grant & Scholarships 79 96% $11,782 $930,801

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of University of the Southwest students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of University of the Southwest students is 9.1%. Female students graduated at a rate of 10.0%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 8.3%.

9.1%

  • African American 26.7% 4 students
  • unknown 9.1% 2 students

Sport Conferences

  • Baseball Red River Athletic Conference
  • Basketball Red River Athletic Conference
  • Track and Cross Country Red River Athletic Conference

Athletic Associations

  • NAIA
    National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Service Offerings

University of the Southwest provides the following additional services to its students
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

University of the Southwest offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

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