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UNM UTEP GS Georgia State University of West Georgia KSU VSU Clayton State University Arizona Christian University TROY Texas Tech Albany State University| Columbus State University | New Mexico State University Main Campus | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Columbus State | NMSU | ||
| Location | Columbus, GA | Las Cruces, NM | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Midsize Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 7,610 | 14,779 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #997 | #731 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | columbusstate.edu | nmsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbus State | NMSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,371 | $6,283 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,425 | $23,407 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,262 | $12,026 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,384 | $8,353 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,299 | $15,073 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 97% |
Admission |
Columbus State | NMSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,550 | 15,201 | ||
| Admitted | 3,523 | 11,511 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 99.2% | 75.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.7% | 20.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.07 | 3.55 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 17/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 860/1100 | 885/1110 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jun 30, 2026 |
Academics |
Columbus State | NMSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Columbus State | NMSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 46% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $39,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 37% | 44% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $17,118 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $176 |
Diversity |
Columbus State | NMSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 7% | 7% | ||
| % Women | 14% | 11% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 51% | 30% | ||
| % Black | 37% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 55% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 2% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 3% |
Students |
Columbus State | NMSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 91% | 79% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 7% | 19% | ||
Campus |
Columbus State | NMSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (14,779 students vs. 7,610 students)
Columbus State vs. NMSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or NMSU?
- New Mexico State University Main Campus is 43.7% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($6,283.00 vs. $4,371.00)
- Out of state tuition is 51.7% higher at NMSU than Columbus State University ($23,407.00 vs. $15,425.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at New Mexico State University Main Campus than Columbus State ($8,353 vs. $11,384)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 6.8% lower than costs at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($11,262 vs. $12,026)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than New Mexico State University Main Campus (98% vs. 97%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 81.6% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($15,073 vs. $8,299)
Columbus State vs. NMSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or NMSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NMSU or Columbus State .
- The average SAT score at New Mexico State University Main Campus (983) is 22 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
- Incoming NMSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Columbus State (20)
- Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
- Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than NMSU (75.7%)
Columbus State vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbus State or NMSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NMSU and Columbus State.
- The graduation rate at NMSU is higher than Columbus State University (46% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn on average $2,000 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($39,400 vs. $37,400)
- New Mexico State University Main Campus students graduate with a $8,882 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($17,118 vs. $26,000)
- NMSU graduates are paying $92 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($176 vs. $268)
- More NMSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/