USW vs. Livingstone College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM with Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of the Southwest is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (1,130 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting); Livingstone College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Southwest 21:1; Livingstone College 14:1.

USW vs. Livingstone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USW or Livingstone College? 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 Livingstone College than USW ($12,826 vs. $17,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 16.1% lower than at University of the Southwest ($6,794 vs. $8,100).
• Livingstone College is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $1,626 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at Livingstone College than at University of the Southwest (about $1,626 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of the Southwest as at Livingstone College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 48.4% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($15,485 vs. $10,436).

USW vs. Livingstone College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USW or Livingstone College? 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 Livingstone College and USW.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLivingstone College 800/960.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLivingstone College 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USW - Open admission; Livingstone College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Livingstone College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (2.64) than students at USW (2.63).

USW vs. Livingstone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USW and Livingstone College? 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).

• Livingstone College's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $18,500 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($23,500 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $192 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($242 vs. $434).
• More USW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 13%)

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.