Head-to-head · 2026
New Mexico State University-Main Campus vs University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Compare average net price ($8,889 at New Mexico State University-Main Campus; $15,489 at University of New Mexico-Main Campus), ROI score (10.99 vs 7.23), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,067 vs $44,792), and admissions selectivity (89% acceptance at New Mexico State University-Main Campus; 95.2% at University of New Mexico-Main Campus) 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 State University-Main Campus | University of New Mexico-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.99 ✓ | 7.23 |
| Avg net price | $8,889 ✓ | $15,489 |
| 4-year avg net price | $35,556 ✓ | $61,956 |
| In-state tuition | $8,183 | $10,140 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $25,307 | $33,060 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,067 | $44,792 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 89% | 95.2% |
| Graduation rate | 55.2% ✓ | 54.7% |
| Retention rate | 73.4% | 76.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $17,095 ✓ | $18,450 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 17,244 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1011 | 1038 |
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 State University-Main Campus | University of New Mexico-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,648 ✓ | $11,938 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,424 ✓ | $13,045 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,861 ✓ | $16,196 |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,146 ✓ | $17,906 |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,049 ✓ | $19,053 |
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 State University-Main Campus | University of New Mexico-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.1% | 13% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.1% | 9.5% |
| Psychology, General | 3.4% | 7.8% |
| Biology, General | 4% | 4.2% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.9% | 3.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.8% | 1.7% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 4.3% | 2.1% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 3.6% | 2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
New Mexico State University-Main Campus reports the lower average net price by $6,600 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $26,400 difference over four years ($35,556 vs $61,956).
University of New Mexico-Main Campus reports $5,725 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,792 vs $39,067). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 73.4% at New Mexico State University-Main Campus and 76.2% at University of New Mexico-Main Campus. Median federal debt among completers is $17,095 vs $18,450, respectively.
8 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
New Mexico State University-Main Campus vs University of New Mexico-Main Campus, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus is cheaper — average net price $8,889 per year vs $15,489 at University of New Mexico-Main Campus. The annual difference of $6,600 adds up to about $26,400 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of New Mexico-Main Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,792 vs $39,067 at New Mexico State University-Main Campus. The gap in the federal data is $5,725. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus is more selective at 89% acceptance vs 95.2% at University of New Mexico-Main Campus.
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.