NMSU vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

NMSU vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU or MSU? 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 Main Campus than MSU ($10,719 vs. $11,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 9.4% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($11,124 vs. $12,282).
• Midwestern State University is 29.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $2,397 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102% higher at NMSU than at Midwestern State University (about $12,777 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Midwestern State University (96% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 30.7% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($14,420 vs. $11,037).

NMSU vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU or MSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MSU and NMSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Midwestern State University (1010) is 20 points higher than at NMSU (990).
• Incoming NMSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (20 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NMSU - Test optional; MSU - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman NMSU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than NMSU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at NMSU vs. 12.9% at MSU.

NMSU vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU and MSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• New Mexico State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Midwestern State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $5,181 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($17,118 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($176 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.