NMSU vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1; East Central University 18:1.

NMSU vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU or ECU? 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 East Central University than NMSU ($8,565 vs. $10,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 30.7% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($8,516 vs. $12,282).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $151 more per year; $8,183.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.8% higher at NMSU than at East Central University (about $7,465 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at East Central University (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 55.8% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($14,420 vs. $9,255).

NMSU vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU or ECU? 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 ECU and NMSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Central University (1010) is 20 points higher than at NMSU (990).
• Incoming NMSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at ECU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NMSU - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at ECU (3.31).
• NMSU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at NMSU vs. 42.4% at ECU.

NMSU vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU and ECU? 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 State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $900 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $240 lower median loan debt than NMSU graduates ($16,878 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMSU graduates ($174 vs. $176).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.