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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 

95.5%
Admission Difficulty for University of New Mexico Main Campus
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UNM is 95.5%.  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, 12,320 out of the 12,907 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?

95% 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 1030 on the SAT
  • Score 22 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 95% 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 2024

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. 64% of students submitted SAT scores and 15% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

900-1160

Applicants Submitting SAT 

64%
SAT Scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 460
Math 25th Percentile 440
Composite 25th Percentile 900
SAT Scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 590
Math 75th Percentile 570
Composite 75th Percentile 1160
Average SAT Score 1030

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 1030 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 900-1160. Students who get into University of New Mexico Main Campus score in the top 78 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 1030 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UNM regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 900 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 900, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 770, 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 1030 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 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 1030, you have around a 95% chance of being admitted. A 1160 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 97% chance of getting in.

University of New Mexico Main Campus admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1160 and Above Good >97%
1030 to 1160 Avg + 95%-97%
900 to 1030 Avg - 91%-95%
770 to 900 Reach 84%-91%
Less than 770 Low <84%
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UNM ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

15%
ACT Scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 19
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 26
Average ACT Score 22

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 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 26.  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 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

15 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 2023 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 22 score has around 95% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 98% with a 26 ACT score.

University of New Mexico Main Campus admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >98%
22 to 26 Avg + 95%-98%
19 to 22 Avg - 92%-95%
16 to 19 Reach 86%-92%
Less than 16 Low <86%
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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 7,459 5,448 12,907
Accepted 7,128 5,192 12,320
Acceptance Rate 96% 95% 95%
Enrolled 2,045 1,567 3,612
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 29% 30% 29%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 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 1030 and ACT of 22 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, 2025