NMSU vs. MSU

New Mexico State University Main Campus and Midwestern State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Midwestern State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NMSU (89% admitted vs 93.5%). Typical SAT 990 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $10,719 at NMSU vs $11,215 at MSU. MSU in-state tuition is about $2,397 more per year.
  • Graduation: NMSU 46% vs MSU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NMSU $39,400 vs MSU $44,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

New Mexico State University Main Campus Midwestern State University
Acceptance rate
NMSU more selective
NMSU89%
MSU93.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NMSU higher
NMSU870-1110
MSU910-1100
Average net price
About even
NMSU$10,719
MSU$11,215
In-state tuition
NMSU $2,397 less
NMSU$8,183
MSU$10,580
Out-of-state tuition
MSU $12,777 less
NMSU$25,307
MSU$12,530
Graduation rate
NMSU +12 pts
NMSU46%
MSU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
MSU +$4,900
NMSU$39,400
MSU$44,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at NMSU and MSU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at NMSU Check my chances at MSU
  • Applied
  • NMSU 13,095
  • MSU 7,803
  • Admitted
  • NMSU 11,650
  • MSU 7,297
  • Acceptance rate
  • NMSU 89%
  • MSU 93.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NMSU 20.6%
  • MSU 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NMSU 990
  • MSU 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • NMSU 20
  • MSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • NMSU 3.55
  • MSU 3.2
  • Typical high school grades
  • NMSU A-
  • MSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • NMSU Very Easy
  • MSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • NMSU
  • MSU
  • SAT range
  • NMSU 870-1110
  • MSU 910-1100
  • ACT range
  • NMSU 17-24
  • MSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • NMSU Test optional
  • MSU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • NMSU
  • MSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NMSU $8,183
  • MSU $10,580
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NMSU $25,307
  • MSU $12,530
  • Room & board
  • NMSU $12,282
  • MSU $11,124
  • Average net price
  • NMSU $10,719
  • MSU $11,215
  • Average grant aid
  • NMSU $14,420
  • MSU $11,037
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NMSU 96%
  • MSU 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • NMSU 46%
  • MSU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NMSU $39,400
  • MSU $44,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • NMSU 44%
  • MSU 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NMSU $17,118
  • MSU $22,299
  • Median loan payment
  • NMSU $176
  • MSU $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NMSU 16:1
  • MSU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • NMSU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • MSU
    • Health Professions (32%)
    • Business (22%)
    • General Studies (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Location
  • NMSU Las Cruces, NM
  • MSU Wichita Falls, TX
  • Setting
  • NMSU Midsize Suburban
  • MSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • NMSU 15,408
  • MSU 5,324
  • Type
  • NMSU Public 4 Year
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NMSU #788
  • MSU #878

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

New Mexico State University Main Campus is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (15,408 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 9.4% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($11,124 vs. $12,282).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 102% higher at NMSU than at Midwestern State University (about $12,777 more per year; $25,307 vs. $12,530).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Midwestern State University (96% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 30.7% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($14,420 vs. $11,037).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at NMSU than at MSU (20 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at NMSU, test-free at MSU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NMSU average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.35 higher than at MSU (3.2).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at NMSU vs. 12.9% at MSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $5,181 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($17,118 vs. $22,299).
  • Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($176 vs. $230).
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation (56% vs. 44%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Midwestern State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges