UNM vs. UO

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oregon is larger than UNM based on total student enrollment (24,404 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); University of Oregon is in Eugene, OR (Midsize City setting).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oregon is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1; University of Oregon 19:1.

UNM vs. UO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNM or UO? 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 UO ($6,347 vs. $24,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 27.6% lower than at University of Oregon ($12,026 vs. $16,611).
• University of Oregon is 59.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNM (about $5,997 more per year; $16,137.00 vs. $10,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.9% higher at UO than at University of New Mexico Main Campus (about $11,538 more per year; $44,598.00 vs. $33,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at University of Oregon (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 37.4% larger than aid received by University of Oregon students ($13,140 vs. $9,560).

UNM vs. UO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oregon (1250) is 220 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming UO students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at UNM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170; University of Oregon 1130/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26; University of Oregon 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNM - Test optional; UO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UO Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UO students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than UO (88.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.2% at UNM vs. 14.4% at UO.

UNM vs. UO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNM and UO? 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 Oregon's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Oregon earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $1,601 lower median loan debt than UO graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,101).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UO graduates ($201 vs. $218).
• More UO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.