Head-to-head · 2026
New Mexico Military Institute vs New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
Compare average net price ($4,571 at New Mexico Military Institute; $6,048 at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana), ROI score (31.40 vs 16.15), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($57,410 vs $39,067), and admissions context (52.6% at New Mexico Military Institute; Open / not reported at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | New Mexico Military Institute | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 31.40 ✓ | 16.15 |
| Avg net price | $4,571 ✓ | $6,048 |
| 4-year avg net price | $18,284 ✓ | $24,192 |
| In-state tuition | $7,190 | $2,322 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,156 | $6,360 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $57,410 ✓ | $39,067 |
| Acceptance rate | 52.6% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 44.4% ✓ | 19.4% |
| Retention rate | 50.3% | 63.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $5,500 ✓ | $17,095 |
| Enrollment | 331 | 5,177 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | New Mexico Military Institute | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,772 ✓ | $5,475 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,062 ✓ | $5,904 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,935 ✓ | $7,663 |
| Family income $75–110k | $4,210 ✓ | $10,624 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,106 ✓ | $13,381 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | New Mexico Military Institute | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 100% | 30.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
New Mexico Military Institute reports the lower average net price by $1,477 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $5,908 difference over four years ($18,284 vs $24,192).
New Mexico Military Institute reports $18,343 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($57,410 vs $39,067). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 50.3% at New Mexico Military Institute and 63.1% at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana. Median federal debt among completers is $5,500 vs $17,095, respectively.
1 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
New Mexico Military Institute vs New Mexico State University-Dona Ana, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
New Mexico Military Institute is cheaper — average net price $4,571 per year vs $6,048 at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana. The annual difference of $1,477 adds up to about $5,908 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
New Mexico Military Institute reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $57,410 vs $39,067 at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana. The gap in the federal data is $18,343. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.