ASU vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ with University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arizona State University is larger than UNM based on total student enrollment (79,818 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arizona State University is located in Tempe, AZ (Midsize City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• Arizona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arizona State University 18:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

ASU vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or UNM? 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus than ASU ($6,347 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 28% lower than at Arizona State University ($12,026 vs. $16,712).
• Arizona State University is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $2,083 more per year; $12,223.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at ASU than at University of New Mexico Main Campus (about $79 more per year; $33,139.00 vs. $33,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at Arizona State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 8% larger than aid received by Arizona State University students ($13,140 vs. $12,172).

ASU vs. UNM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or UNM? 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 UNM and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arizona State University (1210) is 180 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming ASU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 1100/1320; University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 21/28; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UNM - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than ASU (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.1% at ASU vs. 31.2% at UNM.

ASU vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and UNM? 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).

• Arizona State University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from Arizona State University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $778 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,278).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($201 vs. $209).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 47%)

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.