U of A vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than UNM based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• University of Arizona 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: University of Arizona 20:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

U of A vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 U of A ($6,347 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 28.2% lower than at University of Arizona ($12,026 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $3,786 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.9% higher at U of A than at University of New Mexico Main Campus (about $9,218 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $33,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at University of Arizona (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 4.8% larger than aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students ($13,776 vs. $13,140).

U of A vs. UNM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 260 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming U of A students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; UNM - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman U of A students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than U of A (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 31.2% at UNM.

U of A vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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).

• University of Arizona's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than UNM graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNM graduates ($196 vs. $201).
• More U of A graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.