NMSU vs. Western New Mexico University

Should I go to New Mexico State University Main Campus or Western New Mexico University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NMSU or Western New Mexico University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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New Mexico State University Main Campus vs. Western New Mexico University comparison
New Mexico State University Main Campus Western New Mexico University College 3 College 4
New Mexico State University Main Campus
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Overview

 NMSU Western New Mexico University
Location Las Cruces, NM Silver City, NM
Setting Midsize Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 14,268 3,378
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #811
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nmsu.edu wnmu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 NMSU Western New Mexico University
Tuition (In State) $6,283 $4,770
Tuition (Out of State) $23,407 $11,400
Room & Board $11,252 $10,940
Avg Net Price $10,407 $10,676
Avg Grant Aid $13,168 $8,967
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 89%

Admission

 NMSU Western New Mexico University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,860 -
Admitted 12,378 -
Acceptance Rate 78% Open
Enrolled % 18.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.55 2.5
Typical High School Grades B+ C+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 900/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 12, 2025

Academics

 NMSU Western New Mexico University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

 NMSU Western New Mexico University
Graduation Rate 46% 13%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,400 $35,600
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 34%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,118 $20,686
Median Loan Payment $176 $213

Diversity

 NMSU Western New Mexico University
% Men 42% 33%
% Women 58% 67%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 30% 29%
% Black 3% 7%
% Hispanic 55% 51%
% Native American 2% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

 NMSU Western New Mexico University
% In-State 72% 75%
% Out-of-State 25% 23%

Campus

 NMSU Western New Mexico University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than than Western New Mexico University based on total student enrollment (14,268 students vs. 3,378 students)

NMSU vs. Western New Mexico University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU or Western New Mexico University?

  • New Mexico State University Main Campus is 31.7% more expensive to attend than Western New Mexico University for in-state tuition ($6,283.00 vs. $4,770.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 105.3% higher at NMSU than Western New Mexico University ($23,407.00 vs. $11,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at New Mexico State University Main Campus than Western New Mexico University ($10,407 vs. $10,676)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New Mexico University are 2.9% lower than costs at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($10,940 vs. $11,252)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than Western New Mexico University (95% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 46.8% larger than aid received Western New Mexico University ($13,168 vs. $8,967)

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU or Western New Mexico University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Western New Mexico University or NMSU .

  • Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 1.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Western New Mexico University (2.5)

NMSU vs. Western New Mexico University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NMSU or Western New Mexico University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Western New Mexico University and NMSU.

  • The graduation rate at NMSU is higher than Western New Mexico University (46% vs. 13%)
  • Graduates from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn on average $3,800 more per year than Western New Mexico University graduates after ten years. ($39,400 vs. $35,600)
  • New Mexico State University Main Campus students graduate with a $3,568 lower median federal student loan debt than Western New Mexico University graduates. ($17,118 vs. $20,686)
  • NMSU graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Western New Mexico University graduates. ($176 vs. $213)
  • More NMSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western New Mexico University students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 34%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/