NMSU-Dona Ana vs. University of New Mexico-Taos Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Dona Ana in Las Cruces, NM with University of New Mexico Taos Campus in Ranchos de Taos, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Dona Ana is larger than University of New Mexico-Taos Campus based on total student enrollment (7,200 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); University of New Mexico Taos Campus is in Ranchos de Taos, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of New Mexico Taos Campus is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Dona Ana 21:1; University of New Mexico Taos Campus 9:1.

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. University of New Mexico-Taos Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU-Dona Ana or University of New Mexico-Taos Campus? 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 New Mexico State University Dona Ana than University of New Mexico-Taos Campus ($7,936 vs. $8,556).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Taos Campus are 14.6% lower than at New Mexico State University Dona Ana ($12,000 vs. $14,052).
• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is 27.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of New Mexico-Taos Campus (about $582 more per year; $2,718.00 vs. $2,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at NMSU-Dona Ana than at University of New Mexico Taos Campus (about $1,224 more per year; $6,360.00 vs. $5,136.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Taos Campus than at New Mexico State University Dona Ana (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Taos Campus students is 11.3% larger than aid received by New Mexico State University Dona Ana students ($7,312 vs. $6,571).

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. University of New Mexico-Taos Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU-Dona Ana or University of New Mexico-Taos Campus? 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 University of New Mexico-Taos Campus and NMSU-Dona Ana.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NMSU-Dona Ana - Open admission; University of New Mexico-Taos Campus - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of New Mexico-Taos Campus Aug 27, 2027.

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. University of New Mexico-Taos Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU-Dona Ana and University of New Mexico-Taos Campus? 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 University of New Mexico Taos Campus earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than NMSU-Dona Ana graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Dona Ana graduates have a $2,382 lower median loan debt than University of New Mexico-Taos Campus graduates ($17,118 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, NMSU-Dona Ana graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of New Mexico-Taos Campus graduates ($176 vs. $201).
• More University of New Mexico-Taos Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU-Dona Ana students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 44%)

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.