Columbus State vs. NMSU

Should I go to Columbus State University or New Mexico State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbus State or NMSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Columbus State University vs. New Mexico State University Main Campus comparison
Columbus State University New Mexico State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Columbus State University New Mexico State University Main Campus
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Overview

Columbus State NMSU
Location Columbus, GA Las Cruces, NM
Setting Midsize City Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 7,479 14,268
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #995 #811
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
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $23,407
Room & Board $12,080 $11,252
Avg Net Price $12,902 $10,407
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $13,168
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 95%

Admission

Columbus State NMSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 15,860
Admitted 3,398 12,378
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 78%
Enrolled % 30.4% 18.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.55
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 17/23
SAT Range 900/1130 900/1140
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, 2025

Academics

Columbus State NMSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

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 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
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 92% 72%
% Out-of-State 5% 25%

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 (14,268 students vs. 7,479 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 ($10,407 vs. $12,902)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico State University Main Campus are 7.4% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($11,252 vs. $12,080)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than New Mexico State University Main Campus (98% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 44% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($13,168 vs. $9,147)

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 (87.8%) than NMSU (78%)

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/