NMSU Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 88.97%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1000. Average SAT scores, indicating a moderately competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $8,183
- Out-of-State Tuition: $25,307
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at NMSU:
- Total Enrollment: 15,408, including 3,649 online students
- 12,507 Undergraduate, 2,901 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 41.8% men, 58.2% women.
- This is a large institution, providing extensive academic options and vibrant campus life.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 55%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 73%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 219 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 39 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 96 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
NMSU Overview
New Mexico State University-Main Campus (NMSU) is a four-year, public school located in Las Cruces, NM. New Mexico State University-Main Campus was newly classified as an R1 University in 2025 due to its significant growth in research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The NMSU's tuition & fees is $8,183 for New Mexico residents and $25,307 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 77% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $14,505.
The school has a total enrollment of 15,408 and the students to faculty ratio is 16 to 1 (6.25%).
NMSU's acceptance rate is 88.97% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 20.64%. The median SAT score is 1000 and the ACT score is 20.
NMSU ranked 174th in National Universities and 4th in New Mexico Colleges rankings. New Mexico State University-Main Campus is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of New Mexico State University-Main Campus is $8,183 for in-state students and $25,307 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $6,605 for in-state students and $19,448 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $8,219 for New Mexico residents and $25,343 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $6,631 for New Mexico residents and $19,475 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,183 | $25,307 |
|---|
| Graduate | $6,605 | $19,448 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,219 | $25,343 |
|---|
| Graduate | $6,631 | $19,475 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
New Mexico State University-Main Campus offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at NMSU
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army, Air Force |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
|---|
New Mexico State University-Main Campus Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing NMSU