UNM vs. Western New Mexico University

Comparable Facts

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

University of New Mexico Main Campus is larger than Western New Mexico University based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 3,531 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of New Mexico Main Campus is located in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting); Western New Mexico University is in Silver City, NM (Remote Town setting).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New Mexico University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1; Western New Mexico University 12:1.

UNM vs. Western New Mexico University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNM or Western New Mexico University? 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 Western New Mexico University ($6,347 vs. $9,477).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New Mexico University are 9% lower than at University of New Mexico Main Campus ($10,940 vs. $12,026).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is 28.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western New Mexico University (about $2,272 more per year; $10,140.00 vs. $7,868.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.5% higher at UNM than at Western New Mexico University (about $18,718 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $14,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at Western New Mexico University (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 3.7% larger than aid received by Western New Mexico University students ($13,140 vs. $12,666).

UNM vs. Western New Mexico University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNM or Western New Mexico University? 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 Western New Mexico University and UNM.

• Western New Mexico University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNM - Test optional; Western New Mexico University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western New Mexico University Aug 12, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNM students have a 0.92 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Western New Mexico University (2.5).

UNM vs. Western New Mexico University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNM and Western New Mexico University? 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 New Mexico Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Western New Mexico University's (13%).
• Graduates from University of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than Western New Mexico University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Mexico Main Campus graduates have a $1,186 lower median loan debt than Western New Mexico University graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,686).
• Among borrowers, UNM graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New Mexico University graduates ($201 vs. $213).
• More UNM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western New Mexico University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 34%)

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.