New Mexico Highlands University vs. Western New Mexico University

Comparable Facts

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

Western New Mexico University is larger than New Mexico Highlands University based on total student enrollment (3,531 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); Western New Mexico University is in Silver City, NM (Remote Town setting).
• New Mexico Highlands University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New Mexico University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico Highlands University 10:1; Western New Mexico University 12:1.

New Mexico Highlands University vs. Western New Mexico University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Mexico Highlands University or Western New Mexico 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 Western New Mexico University than New Mexico Highlands University ($9,477 vs. $11,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Highlands University are 7.5% lower than at Western New Mexico University ($10,116 vs. $10,940).
• Western New Mexico University is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Mexico Highlands University (about $452 more per year; $7,868.00 vs. $7,416.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.3% higher at Western New Mexico University than at New Mexico Highlands University (about $2,006 more per year; $14,342.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico Highlands University than at Western New Mexico University (91% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New Mexico University students is 30.3% larger than aid received by New Mexico Highlands University students ($12,666 vs. $9,722).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. Western New Mexico University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Mexico Highlands University or Western New Mexico 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 Western New Mexico 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; Western New Mexico University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western New Mexico University Aug 12, 2027.
• Accepted freshman New Mexico Highlands University students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Western New Mexico University (2.5).

New Mexico Highlands University vs. Western New Mexico University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• New Mexico Highlands University's six-year graduation rate (21%) is higher than Western New Mexico University's (13%).
• Graduates from New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Western New Mexico University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,300 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have a $7,684 lower median loan debt than Western New Mexico University graduates ($13,002 vs. $20,686).
• Among borrowers, New Mexico Highlands University graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New Mexico University graduates ($134 vs. $213).
• More New Mexico Highlands University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western New Mexico University students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 34%)

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.