Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
Las Cruces , NM
New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a public research university located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Established in 1888, it is the oldest public institution of higher education in the state. NMSU offers a comprehensive range of academic programs, including more than 90 bachelor's degrees, 60 master's degrees, and 23 doctoral programs across various fields of study. The university is known for its strong research programs, particularly in areas such as agriculture, computer science, engineering, and health sciences.
NMSU has a diverse and vibrant student body, with over 20,000 students enrolled from all 50 states and over 70 countries. The campus is spread across 900 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, including research laboratories, libraries, and specialized centers. Students at NMSU have access to numerous resources and support services, including academic advising, career services, and student organizations. The university also offers a range of extracurricular activities, including NCAA Division I athletic teams, performing arts groups, and cultural organizations.
As a leading research institution, NMSU is committed to promoting innovation and discovery. The university has extensive partnerships with government agencies, industries, and other academic institutions to facilitate collaborative research projects. NMSU students and faculty members have access to cutting-edge facilities and equipment, enabling them to pursue groundbreaking research across disciplines. The university also places a strong emphasis on community engagement and outreach, aiming to address regional challenges and contribute to the development of New Mexico through research and public service initiatives.
New Mexico State University is a public university located in Las Cruces, NM and set in a suburban environment. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 88%. The freshman retention rate at New Mexico State University is 73.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 55%.
To find out more about what New Mexico State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
12,498
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
55%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you learn as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. How difficult is it to get admitted to New Mexico State University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 11,646 in 2025. New Mexico State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
67.7% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 18.3% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 0.8% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 10.9% between 1,200 and 1,399, 38% between 1,000 and 1,199, 41.4% between 800 and 999, 8.7% between 600 and 799, and 0.2% of the students between 400 and 599. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 2.1, 24.1 between 24-29, 47 in the range between 18-23, 26.3 between 12-17, and 0.5 between 6-11.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 21 and the average GPA was 3.48. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into New Mexico State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 510 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 487.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for New Mexico State University was 73.4%, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 55%.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the best fit for you is not easy. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at New Mexico State University in 2025 was 15,399.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 21% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 12,498, 295 of which were international students. The school reported to have a total of 662 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 4,960 male and 6,765 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 124 Asian students and 264 Afro-American students in 2025. 7,595 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 351 identified with more than one race. The school also had 18 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 330 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 44 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for New Mexico State University.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at New Mexico State University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees for area resident were $6,728, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $25,055 in 2025. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $25,055, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,828.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $25,055 | $1,828 | $26,883 |
| In-State | $6,728 | $1,828 | $8,556 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial factor. The approximate cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,290.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
At New Mexico State University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $11,956. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school cost $6,180, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $10,836.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,728 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,956 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,290 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,974 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support for students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at New Mexico State University.
The most recent records show that 1,677 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $19,502 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
6,411 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at New Mexico State University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 6,565. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $59,138,018, and state $63,749,531. The students of New Mexico State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $16,563,694, and external in the amount of $3,270,134.
$3,572
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
919 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. 275 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $59,138,018 while the state aid is $60,582. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $8,960,059. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,039,234 USD.
Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at New Mexico State University was 15:1. That means that there were 15 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 1,090 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 513 male and 577 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at New Mexico State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at New Mexico State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at New Mexico State University.
It has a campus size of 900 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 248 open-membership organizations at New Mexico State University. That includes sororities and fraternities. 6 percent of male and 4 of female students are participants in different organizations at New Mexico State University. Students who have a talent for music can join the New Mexico State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? New Mexico State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At New Mexico State University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of New Mexico State University.
All in all, campus life at New Mexico State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at New Mexico State University.
Career Counselling
At New Mexico State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
New Mexico State University is located in Las Cruces, NM.
-
New Mexico State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for New Mexico State University is 88%.
-
The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for New Mexico State University is 73.4%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.