Northern New Mexico College vs. Western New Mexico University

Comparable Facts

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

Western New Mexico University is larger than Northern New Mexico College based on total student enrollment (3,531 students vs. 1,425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern New Mexico College is located in Espanola, NM (Distant Town setting); Western New Mexico University is in Silver City, NM (Remote Town setting).
• Northern New Mexico College 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 New Mexico College 10:1; Western New Mexico University 12:1.

Northern New Mexico College vs. Western New Mexico University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern New Mexico College 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 Northern New Mexico College than Western New Mexico University ($8,837 vs. $9,477).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New Mexico University are 12.8% lower than at Northern New Mexico College ($10,940 vs. $12,540).
• Western New Mexico University is 22.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern New Mexico College (about $1,468 more per year; $7,868.00 vs. $6,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Western New Mexico University than at Northern New Mexico College (about $14 more per year; $14,342.00 vs. $14,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western New Mexico University than at Northern New Mexico College (84% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New Mexico University students is 23.8% larger than aid received by Northern New Mexico College students ($12,666 vs. $10,229).

Northern New Mexico College vs. Western New Mexico University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern New Mexico College 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 Northern New Mexico College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern New Mexico College - Open admission; Western New Mexico University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western New Mexico University Aug 12, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern New Mexico College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (2.63) than students at Western New Mexico University (2.5).

Northern New Mexico College vs. Western New Mexico University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern New Mexico College 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 New Mexico College's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than Western New Mexico University's (13%).
• Graduates from Western New Mexico University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Northern New Mexico College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern New Mexico College graduates have a $11,686 lower median loan debt than Western New Mexico University graduates ($9,000 vs. $20,686).
• Among borrowers, Northern New Mexico College graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New Mexico University graduates ($93 vs. $213).
• More Northern New Mexico College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western New Mexico University students, three years after graduation. (40% 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.