NMSU vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM with Minot State University in Minot, ND 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. 2,751 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); Minot State University is in Minot, ND (Remote Town setting).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minot State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1; Minot State University 11:1.

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. $13,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minot State University are 30.5% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($8,534 vs. $12,282).
• Minot State University is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $519 more per year; $8,702.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.8% higher at NMSU than at Minot State University (about $16,605 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $8,702.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Minot State University (96% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 139.7% larger than aid received by Minot State University students ($14,420 vs. $6,016).

NMSU vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Minot State University (1040) is 50 points higher than at NMSU (990).
• Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at NMSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110; Minot State University 930/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24; Minot State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NMSU - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at MSU (3.42).
• NMSU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than MSU (64.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at NMSU vs. 77.9% at MSU.

NMSU vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU and MSU? 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 Minot State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Minot State University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $1,607 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($17,118 vs. $18,725).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($176 vs. $193).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.