ENMU vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus in Portales, NM with New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than ENMU based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 5,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is located in Portales, NM (Remote Town setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus 18:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

ENMU vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ENMU or NMSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus than NMSU ($6,416 vs. $10,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus are 31.2% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($8,446 vs. $12,282).
• New Mexico State University Main Campus is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ENMU (about $989 more per year; $8,183.00 vs. $7,194.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 175.9% higher at NMSU than at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus (about $16,133 more per year; $25,307.00 vs. $9,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus than at New Mexico State University Main Campus (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus students ($14,420 vs. $11,757).

ENMU vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ENMU or NMSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NMSU and ENMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at New Mexico State University Main Campus (990) is 40 points higher than at ENMU (950).
• Incoming ENMU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at NMSU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus 830/1060; New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus 17/23; New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ENMU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); NMSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: ENMU Aug 24, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at ENMU (3.23).
• ENMU has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than NMSU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37% at ENMU vs. 20.6% at NMSU.

ENMU vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ENMU and NMSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• New Mexico State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus's (24%).
• Graduates from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than ENMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $33,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus graduates have a $2,851 lower median loan debt than NMSU graduates ($14,267 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, ENMU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMSU graduates ($147 vs. $176).
• More ENMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.