ISU vs. New Mexico Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than New Mexico Tech based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,622 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is in Socorro, NM (Remote Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 9:1.

ISU vs. New Mexico Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or New Mexico Tech? 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 Institute of Mining and Technology than ISU ($11,551 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology are 4.2% lower than at Iowa State University ($10,350 vs. $10,808).
• Iowa State University is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Mexico Tech (about $1,311 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $9,476.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at ISU than at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (about $1,634 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $27,247.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology than at Iowa State University (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology students is 24% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($13,376 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. New Mexico Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or New Mexico Tech? 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 New Mexico Tech and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 40 points higher than at New Mexico Tech (1200).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at New Mexico Tech (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; New Mexico Tech - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: New Mexico Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at New Mexico Tech (3.63).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than New Mexico Tech (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 27.1% at New Mexico Tech.

ISU vs. New Mexico Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and New Mexico Tech? 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).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology's (46%).
• Graduates from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology graduates have a $3,868 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, New Mexico Tech graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($206 vs. $246).
• More New Mexico Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 74%)

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.