ENMU vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (5,725 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is located in Portales, NM (Remote Town setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus 18:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

ENMU vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ENMU or VSU? 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 VSU ($6,416 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus are 36.8% lower than at Virginia State University ($8,446 vs. $13,355).
• Virginia State University is 39.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ENMU (about $2,849 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $7,194.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 146.9% higher at VSU than at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus (about $13,476 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $9,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus than at Virginia State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus students ($12,447 vs. $11,757).

ENMU vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ENMU or VSU? 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 VSU and ENMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia State University (960) is 10 points higher than at ENMU (950).
• Incoming ENMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus 830/1060; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus 17/23; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ENMU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); VSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: ENMU Aug 24, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ENMU students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at VSU (2.85).
• ENMU has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than VSU (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37% at ENMU vs. 14.3% at VSU.

ENMU vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ENMU and VSU? 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).

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus's (24%).
• Graduates from Virginia State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than ENMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $33,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus graduates have a $15,233 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($14,267 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, ENMU graduates have an estimated $158 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($147 vs. $305).
• More ENMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 28%)

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.