Alabama vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than UNM based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

Alabama vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or UNM? 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus than Alabama ($6,347 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 19.9% lower than at The University of Alabama ($12,026 vs. $15,016).
• The University of Alabama is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $2,040 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Alabama than at University of New Mexico Main Campus (about $1,112 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $33,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at The University of Alabama (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 33.2% larger than aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students ($17,503 vs. $13,140).

Alabama vs. UNM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama or UNM? 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 UNM and Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 260 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; UNM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 31.2% at UNM.

Alabama vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and UNM? 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).

• The University of Alabama's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from The University of Alabama earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($201 vs. $245).
• More Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 47%)

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.