Academic Comparison between NMSU and GCU

New Mexico State University-Main Campus and Grand Canyon University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. NMSU is a four-year, public school located in Las Cruces, NM and GCU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Phoenix, AZ.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • NMSU is a public and GCU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • NMSU has more expensive tuition & fees ($25,307) than GCU ($18,508).
  • It is harder to admit to GCU than NMSU.
  • GCU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,000) than NMSU (1,000).
  • GCU has higher submitted ACT score (20) than NMSU (20).
  • GCU has more students with 113,257 students while NMSU has 15,408 students.
  • NMSU has a lower number of students per faculty with 16 to 1 while GCU's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • NMSU has more full-time faculties with 675 faculties while GCU has 582 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

New Mexico State University-Main Campusvs.Grand Canyon University
Las Cruces, New MexicoLocationPhoenix, Arizona
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$8,183
Out-Of-State$25,307
2025 Tuition & Fees$18,508
77%% Receiving Financial Aid74%
$14,505Average Amount of Financial Aid$8,420
88.97 %Acceptance Rates78.91 %
20.64 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)18.08 %
1,000SAT Score1,055
20ACT Score21
55 %Graduation Rate43 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
73 %Retention Rate72 %
15,408Student Population113,257
675Number of Faculties582
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services
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