New Mexico Highlands University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico Highlands University is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, NM (Remote Town setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• New Mexico Highlands University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico Highlands University 10:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

New Mexico Highlands University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Mexico Highlands University or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University than New Mexico Highlands University ($9,541 vs. $11,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Highlands University are 19.6% lower than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($10,116 vs. $12,580).
• New Mexico Highlands University is 40.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $2,136 more per year; $7,416.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than at New Mexico Highlands University (about $864 more per year; $13,200.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico Highlands University than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students is 41.1% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($9,722 vs. $6,890).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Mexico Highlands University or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University 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; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman New Mexico Highlands University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for New Mexico Highlands University and Potomac State College of West Virginia University? 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).

• Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than New Mexico Highlands University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have a $10,999 lower median loan debt than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($13,002 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($134 vs. $248).
• More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Mexico Highlands University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.