University of Nevada-Reno vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nevada Reno in Reno, NV 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 University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 23,024 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nevada Reno is located in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• University of Nevada Reno 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 Nevada Reno 17:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

University of Nevada-Reno vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Nevada-Reno 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 University of Nevada-Reno ($6,347 vs. $17,226).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 17% lower than at University of Nevada Reno ($12,026 vs. $14,496).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Nevada-Reno (about $562 more per year; $10,140.00 vs. $9,578.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at UNM than at University of Nevada Reno (about $5,340 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at University of Nevada Reno (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 78.2% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($13,140 vs. $7,375).

University of Nevada-Reno vs. UNM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Nevada-Reno 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 University of Nevada-Reno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nevada Reno (1180) is 150 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming University of Nevada-Reno students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at UNM (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290; University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Reno 19/26; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional; UNM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNM students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than University of Nevada-Reno (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno vs. 31.2% at UNM.

University of Nevada-Reno vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Nevada-Reno 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 Nevada Reno's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Reno graduates have a $699 lower median loan debt than UNM graduates ($18,801 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Nevada-Reno graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNM graduates ($194 vs. $201).
• More University of Nevada-Reno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.