UNM vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of New Mexico Main Campus is larger than NMSU based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 15,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of New Mexico Main Campus is located in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus 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 New Mexico Main Campus 15:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

UNM vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNM 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus than NMSU ($6,347 vs. $10,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 2.1% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($12,026 vs. $12,282).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is 23.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $1,957 more per year; $10,140.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at UNM than at New Mexico State University Main Campus (about $7,753 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $25,307.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at New Mexico State University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 9.7% larger than aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students ($14,420 vs. $13,140).

UNM vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNM 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 UNM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of New Mexico Main Campus (1030) is 40 points higher than at NMSU (990).
• Incoming UNM 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 New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170; New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26; New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNM - Test optional; NMSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than NMSU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.2% at UNM vs. 20.6% at NMSU.

UNM vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNM 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 New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from University of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $2,382 lower median loan debt than UNM graduates ($17,118 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNM graduates ($176 vs. $201).
• More UNM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.