New Mexico State University Main Campus campus

NMSU Admission Requirements

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Las Cruces, NM
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NMSU Admission Overview

NMSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year NMSU admitted 89% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.55 GPA (A-) and SAT 870-1110 / ACT 17-24. NMSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NMSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NMSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

89%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The NMSU acceptance rate is 89%. Last year, 11,650 of 13,095 applicants were admitted. That is the 4th lowest acceptance rate in New Mexico.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into NMSU and can you get accepted?

NMSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

New Mexico State University Main Campus typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.55. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NMSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.55

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.55

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at NMSU typically have around a 3.55 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. NMSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #3 in New Mexico for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled New Mexico State University Main Campus freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	19.4%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	18.3%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	19.2%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	16.1%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	13.5%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	12.1%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	1.0%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.3%	Reach
less than 1.00	0.1%	Reach

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

NMSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

870-1110

Freshmen who sent SAT

68%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 450
Math 420
Composite 870

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 570
Math 540
Composite 1110

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at NMSU typically score around a 990 SAT (middle 50% 870–1110) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 38th percentile nationally. NMSU ranks #4 in the state of New Mexico for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 870 to 1110

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

NMSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 990 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at New Mexico State University Main Campus
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1110+	Above 75th	>94%
990 to 1110	Avg +	89%-94%
870 to 990	Avg -	81%-89%
Below 870	Below mid-50	<81%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NMSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

17-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

18%

25th Percentile Scores

English 15
Math 16
Composite 17

75th Percentile Scores

English 24
Math 23
Composite 24

Average ACT

Incoming testers at NMSU typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 17–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. NMSU places #5 among colleges in New Mexico for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 17 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to NMSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at New Mexico State University Main Campus
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
24+	Above 75th	>94%
20 to 24	Avg +	89%-94%
17 to 20	Avg -	82%-89%
Below 17	Below mid-50	<82%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

81% of New Mexico State University Main Campus freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 50% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted New Mexico State University Main Campus students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	21%
Top 25% of class	50%
Top 50% of class	81%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the NMSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

New Mexico State University Main Campus admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	7,769	5,322	13,095
Accepted	7,003	4,643	11,650
Acceptance Rate	90%	87%	89%
Enrolled	1,372	1,030	2,404
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	22%	21%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to New Mexico State University Main Campus and what student information is used for admission decisions?

New Mexico State University Main Campus application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to New Mexico State University Main Campus is $25.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at New Mexico State University Main Campus
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

NMSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 89% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.55 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (870-1110); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025