UNK vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE 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 UNK based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney 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 Nebraska at Kearney 14:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

UNK vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNK 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 UNK ($10,719 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 0.7% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($12,198 vs. $12,282).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $493 more per year; $8,676.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.6% higher at NMSU than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $10,023 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (96% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 47.5% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($14,420 vs. $9,776).

UNK vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK 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 UNK.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is 30 points higher than at NMSU (990).
• Incoming UNK students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at NMSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125; New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26; New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNK - Test optional; NMSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than NMSU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at UNK vs. 20.6% at NMSU.

UNK vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNK 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).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than New Mexico State University Main Campus's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $4,132 lower median loan debt than UNK graduates ($17,118 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNK graduates ($176 vs. $219).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.