New Mexico State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
New Mexico State University-Main Campus is a public research university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with about 11,946 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 88.97% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $39,067 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,183
- 2024 Average Net Price: $8,889 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 88.97% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 11,946 84.9% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 55.17%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 43.6%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 6.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 20.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 75.3%
- Average SAT Score: 1011
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 14,227
- Applicants (IPEDS): 15,201
- Room & Board: $12,282 annual estimate
New Mexico State University-Main Campus: what the data shows
Common questions about New Mexico State University-Main Campus, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM (ZIP 88003-8001).
NCES locale classification: Rural distant.
Is New Mexico State University-Main Campus public or private?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus is a Public institution.
How much does New Mexico State University-Main Campus cost?
Published tuition: $8,183 in-state, $25,307 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $8,889.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $6,648 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,424 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,861 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $13,146 |
| $110,001+ | $14,049 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $32,732.
How hard is it to get into New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
Admission rate: 88.97%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1011 and midpoint ACT 20.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
Total enrollment: 11,946 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 14,227 students.
Graduate enrollment: 2,901 students.
About 85% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
150%-time completion rate: 55.17%.
First-year retention: 73.4%.
What do graduates of New Mexico State University-Main Campus earn?
Median earnings: $32,960 six years after entry; $39,067 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $17,095.
38.49% of students receive Pell grants.
What is New Mexico State University-Main Campus known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (159 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (157 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (137 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (134 completions)
- Social Work (118 completions)
- Psychology, General (117 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (112 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (104 completions)
- Information Technology (103 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (96 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is New Mexico State University-Main Campus a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 88.97%; completion rate 55.17%; median earnings $39,067 at 10 years; net price $8,889. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,183
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at New Mexico State University-Main Campus was $8,183.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$8,889
2024 Value
In 2024 New Mexico State University-Main Campus had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $8,889.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$35,556 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$8,889 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$32,732 4-Year In-State Tuition
$101,228 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,282 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,250 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$21,715 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$86,860 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for New Mexico State University-Main Campus.
Financial Aid by Income Level
38.49% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
19.93% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at New Mexico State University-Main Campus was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for New Mexico State University-Main Campus in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,220 | $19,644 | $10,158 |
| 2014 | $5,950 | $19,112 | $9,531 |
| 2015 | $6,094 | $19,652 | $9,663 |
| 2016 | $6,094 | $19,652 | $9,571 |
| 2017 | $6,461 | $21,022 | $8,625 |
| 2018 | $6,686 | $21,770 | $7,867 |
| 2019 | $7,087 | $23,076 | $8,659 |
| 2020 | $7,301 | $23,767 | $10,428 |
| 2021 | $7,301 | $23,767 | $9,979 |
| 2022 | $7,627 | $24,751 | $8,495 |
| 2023 | $8,147 | $25,271 | $6,747 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
88.97% Acceptance Rate
15,201 Total Applicants
11,511 Students Admitted
2,391 First-Time Students Enrolled
20.77% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1011
ACT Average: 20
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
New Mexico State University-Main Campus reported total enrollment of about 11,946 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 42% male and 58% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Hispanic or Latino (63.7%), White (24.3%), and Two or More Races (3.0%). About 38.49% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 43.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
84.9% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at New Mexico State University-Main Campus in 2024 is 11,946 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 14,227 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,901 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
73.4%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Hispanic or Latino at 63.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
33.87% 100% Completion Time
55.17% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 33.87% of students graduating from New Mexico State University-Main Campus completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 41% male / 59% female
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 32% male / 68% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 15% male / 85% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Hispanic or Latino.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for New Mexico State University-Main Campus.
Return on Investment
$17,095 Median Student Debt
$39,067 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
43.76% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
998.75% Return on Investment
4.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for New Mexico State University-Main Campus.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 122 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 159 completions
2. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 157 completions
3. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 137 completions
4. Business Administration and Management, General: 134 completions
5. Social Work: 118 completions
6. Psychology, General: 117 completions
7. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 112 completions
8. Mechanical Engineering: 104 completions
9. Information Technology: 103 completions
Most popular programs at New Mexico State University-Main Campus.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for New Mexico State University-Main Campus graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for New Mexico State University-Main Campus from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 75.3%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,198
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $12,132
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
New Mexico State University-Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, NM, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Enrollment is approximately 11,946 students. Student body composition includes Hispanic or Latino (63.7%), White (24.3%), Two or More Races (3.0%). The admission rate is 88.97%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1011. The 150%-time completion rate is 55.17%. Approximately 38.49% of students receive Pell Grants. About 43.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
Region: Southwest
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 122 distinct degree programs, New Mexico State University-Main Campus provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is New Mexico State University-Main Campus located?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM.
What is New Mexico State University-Main Campus's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at New Mexico State University-Main Campus is 89.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 15,201 applicants and 11,511 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does New Mexico State University-Main Campus cost?
Reported tuition is $8,183 and average net price is $8,889 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,282 annually.
What is the student body demographics at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus reports undergraduate enrollment of about 14,227 students, Hispanic or Latino (63.7%), White (24.3%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
About 43.6% of students at New Mexico State University-Main Campus are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, New Mexico State University-Main Campus reports midpoint SAT about 1011 and midpoint ACT about 20.
What do graduates of New Mexico State University-Main Campus earn?
Median earnings are $32,960 six years after entry and $39,067 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
The 150%-time completion rate is 55.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do New Mexico State University-Main Campus students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $17,095.
Is New Mexico State University-Main Campus public or private?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, NM.
Is New Mexico State University-Main Campus an HBCU?
No. New Mexico State University-Main Campus is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is New Mexico State University-Main Campus a tribal college?
No. New Mexico State University-Main Campus is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- New Mexico college profile
- New Mexico college costs
- New Mexico colleges by ROI
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus vs New Mexico State University-Main Campus vs Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
- Las Cruces, New Mexico city profile
- Southwest regional profile
- Rural college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in New Mexico
- New Mexico college costs
- New Mexico colleges by ROI
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus vs New Mexico State University-Main Campus vs Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
- Las Cruces, New Mexico city profile
- Southwest regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in New Mexico
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.