EIU vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL 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 EIU based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 8,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Eastern Illinois 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: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

EIU vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 EIU ($10,719 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Eastern Illinois University and NMSU ($12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 67.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $5,496 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.1% higher at NMSU than at Eastern Illinois University (about $9,090 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Eastern Illinois University (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($14,420 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Illinois University (990) is the same as at NMSU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNew Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; NMSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at EIU (3.39).
• NMSU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 20.6% at NMSU.

EIU vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than New Mexico State University Main Campus's (46%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $6,532 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($17,118 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($176 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.