Institute of American Indian Arts vs. New Mexico Highlands University

Comparable Facts

Compare Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development in Santa Fe, NM 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 Institute of American Indian Arts based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 947 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development is located in Santa Fe, NM (Rural Fringe setting); New Mexico Highlands University is in Las Vegas, NM (Remote Town setting).
• Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico Highlands University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development 9:1; New Mexico Highlands University 10:1.

Institute of American Indian Arts vs. New Mexico Highlands University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Institute of American Indian Arts 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 Institute of American Indian Arts ($11,062 vs. $15,381).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Highlands University are 22.4% lower than at Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development ($10,116 vs. $13,028).
• New Mexico Highlands University is 25.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Institute of American Indian Arts (about $1,496 more per year; $7,416.00 vs. $5,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.4% higher at New Mexico Highlands University than at Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development (about $6,416 more per year; $12,336.00 vs. $5,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development than at New Mexico Highlands University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development students ($9,722 vs. $9,562).

Institute of American Indian Arts vs. New Mexico Highlands University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Institute of American Indian Arts or New Mexico Highlands University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between New Mexico Highlands University and Institute of American Indian Arts.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Institute of American Indian Arts - Open admission; New Mexico Highlands University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Institute of American Indian Arts Aug 4, 2027.

Institute of American Indian Arts vs. New Mexico Highlands University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Institute of American Indian Arts and New Mexico Highlands University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than New Mexico Highlands University's (21%).
• Graduates from New Mexico Highlands University have median earnings of about $36,300 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Institute of American Indian Arts.
• More New Mexico Highlands University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Institute of American Indian Arts students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.