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UNM UTEP Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus PennWest Clarion Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Penn State Schuylkill Robert Morris University Arizona Christian University Concord University Texas Tech Frostburg State University ASU| New Mexico State University Main Campus | PennWest California | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
NMSU | PennWest California | ||
| Location | Las Cruces, NM | California, PA | ||
| Setting | Midsize Suburban | Town Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 14,268 | 6,509 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #811 | #1033 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nmsu.edu | calu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NMSU | PennWest California | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,283 | $7,716 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $23,407 | $11,574 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,252 | $10,416 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $10,407 | - | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $13,168 | $0 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 95% | 0% |
Admission |
NMSU | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 15,860 | - | ||
| Admitted | 12,378 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78% | |||
| Enrolled % | 18.8% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.55 | 3.31 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/23 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 900/1140 | 940/1150 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 22, 2025 |
Academics |
NMSU | PennWest California | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 19:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NMSU | PennWest California | ||
| Graduation Rate | 46% | 53% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,400 | $42,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 44% | 64% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,118 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $176 | $258 |
Diversity |
NMSU | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 42% | 39% | ||
| % Women | 58% | 61% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 30% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 12% | ||
| % Hispanic | 55% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 2% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 5% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 2% |
Students |
NMSU | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 72% | 86% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 25% | 13% | ||
Campus |
NMSU | PennWest California | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | Yes | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than than PennWest California based on total student enrollment (14,268 students vs. 6,509 students)
NMSU vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NMSU or PennWest California?
- PennWest California is 22.8% more expensive to attend than NMSU for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $6,283.00)
- Out of state tuition is 102.2% higher at NMSU than PennWest California ($23,407.00 vs. $11,574.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 8% lower than costs at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($10,416 vs. $11,252)
- More students receive financial grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than PennWest California (95% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($13,168 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, NMSU or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or NMSU .
- The average SAT score at New Mexico State University Main Campus (983) is 61 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
- Incoming NMSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at PennWest California (20)
- Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at PennWest California (3.31)
NMSU vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NMSU or PennWest California? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PennWest California and NMSU.
- The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than New Mexico State University Main Campus (53% vs. 46%)
- Graduates from PennWest California earn on average $3,100 more per year than NMSU graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $39,400)
- New Mexico State University Main Campus students graduate with a $7,882 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($17,118 vs. $25,000)
- NMSU graduates are paying $82 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($176 vs. $258)
- More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 44%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/