New Mexico Highlands University vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM 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 New Mexico Highlands University based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 2,704 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, NM (Remote Town setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• New Mexico Highlands 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: New Mexico Highlands University 10:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

New Mexico Highlands University vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Mexico Highlands University 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 New Mexico Highlands University ($10,719 vs. $11,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Highlands University are 17.6% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($10,116 vs. $12,282).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Mexico Highlands University (about $767 more per year; $8,183.00 vs. $7,416.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.1% higher at NMSU than at New Mexico Highlands University (about $12,971 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at New Mexico Highlands University (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 48.3% larger than aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students ($14,420 vs. $9,722).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Mexico Highlands University 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 New Mexico Highlands University.

• New Mexico Highlands University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNew 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: New Mexico Highlands University - Open admission; NMSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at New Mexico Highlands University (3.3).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for New Mexico Highlands University 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).

• New Mexico State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than New Mexico Highlands University's (21%).
• Graduates from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than New Mexico Highlands University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have a $4,116 lower median loan debt than NMSU graduates ($13,002 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMSU graduates ($134 vs. $176).
• More NMSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Mexico Highlands University students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.