NMSU vs. Central Washington University

Should I go to New Mexico State University Main Campus or Central Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NMSU or Central Washington University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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New Mexico State University Main Campus vs. Central Washington University comparison
New Mexico State University Main Campus Central Washington University College 3 College 4
New Mexico State University Main Campus Central Washington University
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Overview

NMSU Central Washington University
Location Las Cruces, NM Ellensburg, WA
Setting Midsize Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,268 9,257
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #811 #610
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nmsu.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NMSU Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $6,283 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $23,407 $23,881
Room & Board $11,252 $13,645
Avg Net Price $10,407 $15,864
Avg Grant Aid $13,168 $9,294
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 73%

Admission

NMSU Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,860 6,409
Admitted 12,378 5,992
Acceptance Rate 78% 93.5%
Enrolled % 18.8% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.55 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 17/24
SAT Range 900/1140 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

NMSU Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

NMSU Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 46% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,400 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,118 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $176 $214

Diversity

NMSU Central Washington University
% Men 42% 47%
% Women 58% 53%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 30% 59%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 55% 14%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 9%

Students

NMSU Central Washington University
% In-State 72% 95%
% Out-of-State 25% 5%

Campus

NMSU Central Washington University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
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 Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (14,268 students vs. 9,257 students)

NMSU vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU or Central Washington University?

  • Central Washington University is 8.5% more expensive to attend than NMSU for in-state tuition ($6,816.00 vs. $6,283.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2% higher at Central Washington University than New Mexico State University Main Campus ($23,881.00 vs. $23,407.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at New Mexico State University Main Campus than Central Washington University ($10,407 vs. $15,864)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico State University Main Campus are 21.3% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($11,252 vs. $13,645)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than Central Washington University (95% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 41.7% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($13,168 vs. $9,294)

NMSU vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU or Central Washington University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Central Washington University or NMSU .

  • The average SAT score at New Mexico State University Main Campus (983) is 5 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming NMSU students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than NMSU (78%)

NMSU vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NMSU or Central Washington University? 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 Central Washington University and NMSU.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than New Mexico State University Main Campus (56% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $8,400 more per year than NMSU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $39,400)
  • New Mexico State University Main Campus students graduate with a $3,619 lower median federal student loan debt than Central Washington University graduates. ($17,118 vs. $20,737)
  • NMSU graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than Central Washington University graduates. ($176 vs. $214)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/