NMSU vs. UTEP

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM with The University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at El Paso is larger than NMSU based on total student enrollment (25,039 students vs. 15,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); The University of Texas at El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1; The University of Texas at El Paso 21:1.

NMSU vs. UTEP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU or UTEP? 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 The University of Texas at El Paso than NMSU ($9,305 vs. $10,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at El Paso are 11.5% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($10,864 vs. $12,282).
• The University of Texas at El Paso is 19.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $1,561 more per year; $9,744.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at UTEP than at New Mexico State University Main Campus (about $195 more per year; $25,502.00 vs. $25,307.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at The University of Texas at El Paso (96% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 36.4% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at El Paso students ($14,420 vs. $10,571).

NMSU vs. UTEP Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at New Mexico State University Main Campus (990) is 20 points higher than at UTEP (970).
• Incoming NMSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at UTEP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110; The University of Texas at El Paso 860/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24; The University of Texas at El Paso 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NMSU - Test optional; UTEP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTEP May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at UTEP (3.3).
• UTEP has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than NMSU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at NMSU vs. 33.5% at UTEP.

NMSU vs. UTEP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU and UTEP? 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 The University of Texas at El Paso's (37%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at El Paso earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $132 lower median loan debt than UTEP graduates ($17,118 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTEP graduates ($176 vs. $178).
• More UTEP 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.