Colorado State vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than UNM based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins 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: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

Colorado State vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State 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 Colorado State ($6,347 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 28.5% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($12,026 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 31.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $3,233 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Colorado State than at University of New Mexico Main Campus (about $1,723 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $33,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 29.3% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($13,140 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. UNM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State 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 Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 160 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; UNM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 31.2% at UNM.

Colorado State vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State 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).

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $1,504 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.