CMA vs. New Mexico Highlands University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico Highlands University is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); New Mexico Highlands University is in Las Vegas, NM (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico Highlands University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; New Mexico Highlands University 10:1.

CMA vs. New Mexico Highlands University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or New Mexico Highlands University? 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 Highlands University than CMA ($11,062 vs. $19,040).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Highlands University are 30.4% lower than at California State University Maritime Academy ($10,116 vs. $14,536).
• California State University Maritime Academy is 34.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Mexico Highlands University (about $2,528 more per year; $9,944.00 vs. $7,416.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.7% higher at CMA than at New Mexico Highlands University (about $10,208 more per year; $22,544.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico Highlands University than at California State University Maritime Academy (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students is 13.5% larger than aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students ($11,038 vs. $9,722).

CMA vs. New Mexico Highlands University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or New Mexico Highlands University? 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 New Mexico Highlands University and CMA.

• New Mexico Highlands University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; New Mexico Highlands University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CMA students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at New Mexico Highlands University (3.3).

CMA vs. New Mexico Highlands University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and New Mexico Highlands University? 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).

• California State University Maritime Academy's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than New Mexico Highlands University's (21%).
• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $54,200 more per year than New Mexico Highlands University graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have a $12,524 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($13,002 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($134 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Mexico Highlands University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 42%)

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.