New Mexico Highlands University vs. Northern New Mexico College

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM with Northern New Mexico College in Espanola, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico Highlands University is larger than Northern New Mexico College based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 1,425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, NM (Remote Town setting); Northern New Mexico College is in Espanola, NM (Distant Town setting).
• New Mexico Highlands University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern New Mexico College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico Highlands University 10:1; Northern New Mexico College 10:1.

New Mexico Highlands University vs. Northern New Mexico College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Mexico Highlands University or Northern New Mexico College? 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 Northern New Mexico College than New Mexico Highlands University ($8,837 vs. $11,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Highlands University are 19.3% lower than at Northern New Mexico College ($10,116 vs. $12,540).
• New Mexico Highlands University is 15.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern New Mexico College (about $1,016 more per year; $7,416.00 vs. $6,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.1% higher at Northern New Mexico College than at New Mexico Highlands University (about $1,992 more per year; $14,328.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico Highlands University than at Northern New Mexico College (91% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern New Mexico College students is 5.2% larger than aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students ($10,229 vs. $9,722).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. Northern New Mexico College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Mexico Highlands University or Northern New Mexico College? 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 Northern New Mexico College and New Mexico Highlands University.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: New Mexico Highlands University - Open admission; Northern New Mexico College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman New Mexico Highlands University students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Northern New Mexico College (2.63).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. Northern New Mexico College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for New Mexico Highlands University and Northern New Mexico College? 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).

• Northern New Mexico College's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than New Mexico Highlands University's (21%).
• Graduates from New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Northern New Mexico College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,300 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern New Mexico College graduates have a $4,002 lower median loan debt than New Mexico Highlands University graduates ($9,000 vs. $13,002).
• Among borrowers, Northern New Mexico College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than New Mexico Highlands University graduates ($93 vs. $134).
• More New Mexico Highlands University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern New Mexico College students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 40%)

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.