New Mexico Highlands University vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM with University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of New Mexico Main Campus is larger than New Mexico Highlands University based on total student enrollment (23,124 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); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• New Mexico Highlands University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico Highlands University 10:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

New Mexico Highlands University vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Mexico Highlands University or UNM? 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus than New Mexico Highlands University ($6,347 vs. $11,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Highlands University are 15.9% lower than at University of New Mexico Main Campus ($10,116 vs. $12,026).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is 36.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Mexico Highlands University (about $2,724 more per year; $10,140.00 vs. $7,416.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 168% higher at UNM than at New Mexico Highlands University (about $20,724 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at New Mexico Highlands University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 35.2% larger than aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students ($13,140 vs. $9,722).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. UNM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Mexico Highlands University or UNM? 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 UNM 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 studentsUniversity of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: New Mexico Highlands University - Open admission; UNM - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNM students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at New Mexico Highlands University (3.3).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of New Mexico Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than New Mexico Highlands University's (21%).
• Graduates from University of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than New Mexico Highlands University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have a $6,498 lower median loan debt than UNM graduates ($13,002 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNM graduates ($134 vs. $201).
• More UNM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Mexico Highlands University students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.