LSU vs. UNM

Should I go to Louisiana State University or University of New Mexico Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if LSU or UNM 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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Louisiana State University vs. University of New Mexico Main Campus comparison
Louisiana State University University of New Mexico Main Campus College 3 College 4
Louisiana State University University of New Mexico Main Campus
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Overview

LSU UNM
Location Baton Rouge, LA Albuquerque, NM
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 37,348 21,953
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #367 #658
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lsu.edu unm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

LSU UNM
Tuition (In State) $8,038 $6,803
Tuition (Out of State) $8,038 $25,138
Room & Board $13,956 $10,916
Avg Net Price $21,296 $10,633
Avg Grant Aid $12,374 $9,280
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

LSU UNM
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 38,853 12,639
Admitted 29,419 12,142
Acceptance Rate 75.7% 96.1%
Enrolled % 25.2% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/28 17/25
SAT Range 1140/1320 1030/1250
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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

LSU UNM
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)

Outcomes

LSU UNM
Graduation Rate 60% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,900 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $216 $201

Diversity

LSU UNM
% Men 44% 42%
% Women 56% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 73% 35%
% Black 12% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 47%
% Native American 0% 6%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

LSU UNM
% In-State 65% 80%
% Out-of-State 34% 18%

Campus

LSU UNM
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Louisiana State University is larger than than UNM based on total student enrollment (37,348 students vs. 21,953 students)

LSU vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or UNM?

  • Louisiana State University is 18.2% more expensive to attend than UNM for in-state tuition ($8,038.00 vs. $6,803.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 212.7% higher at UNM than Louisiana State University ($25,138.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of New Mexico Main Campus than LSU ($10,633 vs. $21,296)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 27.8% lower than costs at Louisiana State University ($10,916 vs. $13,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Louisiana State University than University of New Mexico Main Campus (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 33.3% larger than aid received University of New Mexico Main Campus ($12,374 vs. $9,280)

LSU vs. UNM Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSU or UNM? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNM or LSU .

  • The average SAT score at Louisiana State University (1163) is 123 points higher than at UNM (1040)
  • Incoming LSU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at UNM (22)
  • Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UNM (3.42)
  • UNM has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than LSU (75.7%)

LSU vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, LSU or UNM? 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 UNM and LSU.

  • The graduation rate at LSU is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus (60% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Louisiana State University earn on average $14,200 more per year than UNM graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $42,700)
  • University of New Mexico Main Campus students graduate with a $1,400 lower median federal student loan debt than LSU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $20,900)
  • UNM graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than LSU graduates. ($201 vs. $216)
  • More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/