ATU vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than ATU based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 8,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

ATU vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or NMSU? 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 New Mexico State University Main Campus than ATU ($10,719 vs. $12,626).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 15.8% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($10,338 vs. $12,282).
• Arkansas Tech University is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $491 more per year; $8,674.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.5% higher at NMSU than at Arkansas Tech University (about $10,639 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Arkansas Tech University (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 45.6% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($14,420 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or NMSU? 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 NMSU and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas Tech University (990) is the same as at NMSU (990).
• Incoming ATU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at NMSU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; NMSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at ATU (3.37).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than NMSU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 20.6% at NMSU.

ATU vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and NMSU? 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).

• New Mexico State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Arkansas Tech University's (43%).
• Graduates from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $632 lower median loan debt than ATU graduates ($17,118 vs. $17,750).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ATU graduates ($176 vs. $183).
• More ATU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 44%)

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.