Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of the Southwest #1014 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn in the 82.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of the Southwest #1085 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of the Southwest #1014 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Hobbs, New Mexico, University of the Southwest enrolls roughly 346 undergraduates. Retention stands at 55.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 17.0%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. University of the Southwest delivers meaningful earnings outcomes relative to its peer set. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $51,952, and earn about $7,869 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 82.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of the Southwest #1085 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's focus on Parks & Recreation, a field that connects directly to stable regional employment. Access and affordability anchor the institution's value proposition for students seeking a smaller, regional setting. 55.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 46.9% are first-generation college students, positioning University of the Southwest as an accessible option for families with limited college-going experience. The institution sits in the 73.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a tuition structure designed for regional access. For students prioritizing manageable debt and predictable career pathways in outdoor recreation and hospitality fields, University of the Southwest offers a focused, affordable undergraduate experience with outcomes that outperform comparable institutions.
Virginia Union University's published cost of attendance is $28,210. Net price by income band varies meaningfully across the spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $15,384, middle-income families pay around $15,943, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,985. Azimuth ranks University of the Southwest #380 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Virginia Union's aid structure combines need-based grants, federal loans, and work-study to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and institutional aid is allocated based on demonstrated financial need. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packaging. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,303, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,700; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $51,952, median federal debt of $21,303 projects to a monthly payment of about $241 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of the Southwest is a fit for students who want a private nonprofit four-year option in NM and are weighing outcomes against cost. Azimuth ranks University of the Southwest #1014 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $51,952, placing University of the Southwest in the 11.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,869 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 82.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Published cost of attendance is $28,210. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $15,384, middle-income families pay around $15,943, higher-income families pay approximately $21,985. Students should weigh those current cost and earnings figures against the school's program mix before treating the fit as primarily an earnings, affordability, or access story.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of The Southwest hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
25 graduates
University of the Southwest's program mix centers on Parks & Recreation — a signature that reflects the institution's regional identity and student interests. Kinesiology is the largest program with 25 graduates, followed by General Studies, Criminal Justice, Accounting, and Psychology, General.
Across 7 total programs serving roughly 66 students annually, 0 programs meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. Kinesiology combines the largest enrollment with solid four-year earnings of $38,080, making it the institution's primary program by scale.
Kinesiology delivers the strongest four-year earnings at $38,080 among the ranked programs, with 25 graduates entering the workforce. The program distribution reflects University of the Southwest's positioning as a private nonprofit institution serving students in the Southwest region, with emphasis on fields aligned to regional labor-market demand and student career pathways.
The institution's program portfolio supports both direct-to-workforce and further-study pathways. Business represents 20% of degrees, with Education accounting for 9%.
For context on how these program families align with national labor-market trends, the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides a framework for understanding regional and national employment patterns across fields.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Virginia Union University's published cost of attendance is $28,210. Net price by income band varies meaningfully across the spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $15,384, middle-income families pay around $15,943, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,985.
Azimuth ranks University of the Southwest #380 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Virginia Union's aid structure combines need-based grants, federal loans, and work-study to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and institutional aid is allocated based on demonstrated financial need.
Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packaging. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,303, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,700; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $51,952, median federal debt of $21,303 projects to a monthly payment of about $241 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of the Southwest earn median 4-year earnings of $51,952, placing University of the Southwest in the 11.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,869 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 82.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of the Southwest #1085 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness reports 25 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $38,080.
