New Mexico Highlands University vs. USAO

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM with University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico Highlands University is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, NM (Remote Town setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
• New Mexico Highlands University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico Highlands University 10:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

New Mexico Highlands University vs. USAO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Mexico Highlands University or USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma than New Mexico Highlands University ($8,070 vs. $11,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Highlands University are 7.5% lower than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma ($10,116 vs. $10,940).
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 21.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Mexico Highlands University (about $1,584 more per year; $9,000.00 vs. $7,416.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.7% higher at USAO than at New Mexico Highlands University (about $7,854 more per year; $20,190.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at New Mexico Highlands University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 34.4% larger than aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students ($13,068 vs. $9,722).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. USAO Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Mexico Highlands University or USAO? 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 USAO 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: New Mexico Highlands University - Open admission; USAO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USAO students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at New Mexico Highlands University (3.3).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. USAO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for New Mexico Highlands University and USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than New Mexico Highlands University's (21%).
• Graduates from New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of about $200 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,300 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More USAO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Mexico Highlands University students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.