Howard College vs. Southwest University at El Paso

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard College in Big Spring, TX with Southwest University at El Paso in El Paso, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard College is larger than Southwest University at El Paso based on total student enrollment (4,101 students vs. 2,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard College is located in Big Spring, TX (Remote Town setting); Southwest University at El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• Howard College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwest University at El Paso is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard College 25:1; Southwest University at El Paso 20:1.

Howard College vs. Southwest University at El Paso Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard College or Southwest University at El Paso? 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 Howard College than Southwest University at El Paso ($6,491 vs. $16,906).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest University at El Paso are 28.4% lower than at Howard College ($4,340 vs. $6,064).
• Southwest University at El Paso is 203.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard College (about $10,734 more per year; $16,000.00 vs. $5,266.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.2% higher at Southwest University at El Paso than at Howard College (about $9,284 more per year; $16,000.00 vs. $6,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest University at El Paso than at Howard College (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard College students is 5.8% larger than aid received by Southwest University at El Paso students ($7,494 vs. $7,081).

Howard College vs. Southwest University at El Paso Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard College or Southwest University at El Paso? 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 Southwest University at El Paso and Howard College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard College - Open admission; Southwest University at El Paso - Open admission.

Howard College vs. Southwest University at El Paso Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard College and Southwest University at El Paso? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Howard College graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Southwest University at El Paso graduates ($6,750 vs. $15,500).
• Among borrowers, Howard College graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest University at El Paso graduates ($69 vs. $160).
• More Howard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest University at El Paso students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 17%)

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.