University of New Mexico Main Campus campus

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UNM Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Albuquerque, NM
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UNM Admission Overview

UNM admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year UNM admitted 95.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (B+) and SAT 890-1170 / ACT 19-26. UNM 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

UNM Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

95.2%

Admission Standards

Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of New Mexico Main Campus

Acceptance Rate

The UNM acceptance rate is 95.2%. Last year, 11,678 of 12,269 applicants were admitted. That is the 6th lowest acceptance rate in New Mexico.

Admission Selectivity

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

UNM 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.

University of New Mexico Main Campus typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.42. 31% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

UNM GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.42

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.42

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UNM typically have around a 3.42 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. UNM is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #5 in New Mexico for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UNM SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

890-1170

Freshmen who sent SAT

48%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 460
  • Math 430
  • Composite 890
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 600
  • Math 570
  • Composite 1170
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UNM typically score around a 1030 SAT (middle 50% 890–1170) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 45th percentile nationally. UNM ranks #3 in the state of New Mexico for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 890 to 1170

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

UNM 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 1030 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1170+ Above 75th >97%
1030 to 1170 Avg + 95%-97%
890 to 1030 Avg - 91%-95%
Below 890 Below mid-50 <91%

What do these figures mean?

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

UNM ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

8%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 17
  • Math 17
  • Composite 19
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 26
  • Math 25
  • Composite 26
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of New Mexico Main Campus

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UNM typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UNM places #3 among colleges in New Mexico for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
26+ Above 75th >98%
22 to 26 Avg + 95%-98%
19 to 22 Avg - 92%-95%
Below 19 Below mid-50 <92%

How to read these figures

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

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 UNM chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of New Mexico Main Campus admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 7,146 5,086 12,269
Accepted 6,823 4,818 11,678
Acceptance Rate 95% 95% 95%
Enrolled 2,055 1,572 3,642
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 30% 33% 31%

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

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
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 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

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

Application Fee

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

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of New Mexico 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

UNM is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 95.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (890-1170); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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

Other Colleges to Apply To

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

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=187985.

GPA calculator: University of New Mexico Main Campus GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026