UCCS vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO 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 New Mexico Main Campus is larger than UCCS based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

UCCS vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS 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 UCCS ($6,347 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 6.9% lower than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($12,026 vs. $12,918).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $9 more per year; $10,149.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at UNM than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (about $8,724 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $24,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 77.1% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($13,140 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. UNM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS 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 UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 90 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming UCCS students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; UNM - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNM students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than UNM (95.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 31.2% at UNM.

UCCS vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS 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 New Mexico Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than University of Colorado Colorado Springs's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $1,499 lower median loan debt than UCCS graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,999).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCCS graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.