UNM vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM with Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Tech University is larger than UNM based on total student enrollment (40,757 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of New Mexico Main Campus is located in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

UNM vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNM or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech ($6,347 vs. $16,919).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 10.7% lower than at University of New Mexico Main Campus ($10,742 vs. $12,026).
• Texas Tech University is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $1,712 more per year; $11,852.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.2% higher at UNM than at Texas Tech University (about $8,609 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $24,451.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at Texas Tech University (100% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 25.2% larger than aid received by Texas Tech University students ($13,140 vs. $10,494).

UNM vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Tech University (1190) is 160 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming Texas Tech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170; Texas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26; Texas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNM - Test optional; Texas Tech - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Texas Tech students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Texas Tech (72.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.2% at UNM vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

UNM vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNM and Texas Tech? 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).

• Texas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from Texas Tech University earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,500 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Tech graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More Texas Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.