NMSU vs. Northern New Mexico College

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM with Northern New Mexico College in Espanola, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than Northern New Mexico College based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 1,425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); Northern New Mexico College is in Espanola, NM (Distant Town setting).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern New Mexico College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1; Northern New Mexico College 10:1.

NMSU vs. Northern New Mexico College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU or Northern New Mexico College? 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 Northern New Mexico College than NMSU ($8,837 vs. $10,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico State University Main Campus are 2.1% lower than at Northern New Mexico College ($12,282 vs. $12,540).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is 27.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern New Mexico College (about $1,783 more per year; $8,183.00 vs. $6,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.6% higher at NMSU than at Northern New Mexico College (about $10,979 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $14,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Northern New Mexico College (96% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 41% larger than aid received by Northern New Mexico College students ($14,420 vs. $10,229).

NMSU vs. Northern New Mexico College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU or Northern New Mexico College? 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 Northern New Mexico College and NMSU.

• Northern New Mexico College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NMSU - Test optional; Northern New Mexico College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.92 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Northern New Mexico College (2.63).

NMSU vs. Northern New Mexico College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU and Northern New Mexico College? 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).

• Northern New Mexico College's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than New Mexico State University Main Campus's (46%).
• Graduates from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Northern New Mexico College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern New Mexico College graduates have a $8,118 lower median loan debt than NMSU graduates ($9,000 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, Northern New Mexico College graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMSU graduates ($93 vs. $176).
• More NMSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern New Mexico College students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 40%)

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.