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#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

UNM Admission Requirements

Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Your chances of getting into University of New Mexico Main Campus

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

96.1%
Admission Difficulty for University of New Mexico Main Campus
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UNM is 96.1%.  Its admission rate is the 6th lowest in New Mexico.

Admission Selectivity

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

University of New Mexico Main Campus is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 12,142 out of the 12,639 who applied were admitted.

University of New Mexico Main Campus typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.42. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UNM?

96% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of New Mexico Main Campus you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.42 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1140 on the SAT
  • Score 21 on the ACT

UNM GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.42

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of New Mexico Main Campus?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UNM are to have around a 3.42 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.42 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as UNM accepts 96% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UNM is 3.42 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #5 in New Mexico for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UNM is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of New Mexico Main Campus students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 13.5% Good
3.75 to 3.99 17.41% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 22.45% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.47% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 15.89% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 15.55% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.52% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.21% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UNM SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of New Mexico Main Campus. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 22% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1030-1250

Applicants Submitting SAT 

-
SAT Scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 520
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1030
SAT Scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1250
Average SAT Score 1140

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of New Mexico Main Campus?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UNM is 1140 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1030-1250. Students who get into University of New Mexico Main Campus score in the top 55 percent of all SAT test takers..  UNM ranks #3 in the state of New Mexico for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1140 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UNM regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1030 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1030, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 920, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of New Mexico Main Campus is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1140 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1140, you have around a 96% chance of being admitted. A 1250 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 98% chance of getting in.

University of New Mexico Main Campus admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1250 and Above Good >98%
1140 to 1250 Avg + 96%-98%
1030 to 1140 Avg - 93%-96%
920 to 1030 Reach 87%-93%
Less than 920 Low <87%
Calculate My Chances 

UNM ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

17-25 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

22%
ACT Scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 17
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 17
ACT Scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 25
Average ACT Score 21

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UNM?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UNM is 21, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 25.  The school ranks #3 in New Mexico for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 21. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 13.

22 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of New Mexico Main Campus.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of New Mexico Main Campus is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UNM for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 21 score has around 96% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 98% with a 25 ACT score.

University of New Mexico Main Campus admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >98%
21 to 25 Avg + 96%-98%
17 to 21 Avg - 93%-96%
13 to 17 Reach 87%-93%
Less than 13 Low <87%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of New Mexico Main Campus admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 7,394 5,245 12,639
Accepted 7,117 5,025 12,142
Acceptance Rate 96% 96% 96%
Enrolled 1,998 1,511 3,509
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 28% 30% 29%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

University of New Mexico Main Campus Application Requirements
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 considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of New Mexico Main Campus
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of New Mexico Main Campus is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.42 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1140 and ACT of 21 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of New Mexico Main Campus often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=187985 IPEDS survey data for University of New Mexico Main Campus.

Last updated February 24, 2024