NAU vs. Western New Mexico University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ with Western New Mexico University in Silver City, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Arizona University is larger than Western New Mexico University based on total student enrollment (28,467 students vs. 3,531 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, AZ (Small City setting); Western New Mexico University is in Silver City, NM (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Arizona University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New Mexico University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Arizona University 19:1; Western New Mexico University 12:1.

NAU vs. Western New Mexico University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NAU or Western New Mexico University? 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 Western New Mexico University than NAU ($9,477 vs. $16,371).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New Mexico University are 24.2% lower than at Northern Arizona University ($10,940 vs. $14,432).
• Northern Arizona University is 65.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western New Mexico University (about $5,141 more per year; $13,009.00 vs. $7,868.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.3% higher at NAU than at Western New Mexico University (about $15,539 more per year; $29,881.00 vs. $14,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Arizona University than at Western New Mexico University (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Arizona University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Western New Mexico University students ($13,085 vs. $12,666).

NAU vs. Western New Mexico University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NAU or Western New Mexico University? 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 Western New Mexico University and NAU.

• Western New Mexico University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NAU - Test-free; Western New Mexico University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NAU Aug 1, 2027; Western New Mexico University Aug 12, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NAU students have a 1.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Western New Mexico University (2.5).

NAU vs. Western New Mexico University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NAU and Western New Mexico University? 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 Arizona University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Western New Mexico University's (13%).
• Graduates from Northern Arizona University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Western New Mexico University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Arizona University graduates have a $686 lower median loan debt than Western New Mexico University graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,686).
• Among borrowers, NAU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New Mexico University graduates ($206 vs. $213).
• More NAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western New Mexico University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 34%)

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.