UNM vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of New Mexico Main Campus is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of New Mexico Main Campus is located in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

UNM vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNM or ASU? 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 ASU ($6,347 vs. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 6.5% lower than at Appalachian State University ($12,026 vs. $12,868).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is 33.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $2,561 more per year; $10,140.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.1% higher at UNM than at Appalachian State University (about $7,848 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at Appalachian State University (100% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 64% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($13,140 vs. $8,014).

UNM vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNM or ASU? 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 ASU and UNM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 170 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming ASU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNM - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than ASU (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.2% at UNM vs. 18.2% at ASU.

UNM vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNM and ASU? 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).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from University of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($201 vs. $211).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.