UH at Hilo vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hawaii at Hilo in Hilo, HI with New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than UH at Hilo based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 2,668 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hawaii at Hilo is located in Hilo, HI (Remote Town setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Hawaii at Hilo 11:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

UH at Hilo vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH at Hilo or NMSU? 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 New Mexico State University Main Campus than UH at Hilo ($10,719 vs. $12,673).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Hilo are 5.7% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($11,586 vs. $12,282).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH at Hilo (about $345 more per year; $8,183.00 vs. $7,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at NMSU than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (about $4,509 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $20,798.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 82.1% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Hilo students ($14,420 vs. $7,918).

UH at Hilo vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH at Hilo or NMSU? 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 NMSU and UH at Hilo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hawaii at Hilo (1060) is 70 points higher than at NMSU (990).
• Incoming NMSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at UH at Hilo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 945/1175; New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 15/22; New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH at Hilo - Test optional; NMSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH at Hilo Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at UH at Hilo (3.36).
• NMSU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than UH at Hilo (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at UH at Hilo vs. 20.6% at NMSU.

UH at Hilo vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH at Hilo and NMSU? 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).

• New Mexico State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than University of Hawaii at Hilo's (36%).
• Graduates from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than UH at Hilo graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $2,785 lower median loan debt than UH at Hilo graduates ($17,118 vs. $19,903).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH at Hilo graduates ($176 vs. $205).
• More UH at Hilo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 44%)

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.