NMSU vs. MSU

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

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Minot State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MSU (64.6% admitted vs 89%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: NMSU. Average net price is $10,719 vs $13,092 at MSU.
  • Graduation: NMSU 46% vs MSU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NMSU $39,400 vs MSU $45,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

New Mexico State University Main Campus Minot State University
Acceptance rate
MSU more selective
NMSU89%
MSU64.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MSU higher
NMSU870-1110
MSU930-1140
Average net price
NMSU $2,373 less
NMSU$10,719
MSU$13,092
In-state tuition
NMSU $519 less
NMSU$8,183
MSU$8,702
Out-of-state tuition
MSU $16,605 less
NMSU$25,307
MSU$8,702
Graduation rate
NMSU +12 pts
NMSU46%
MSU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
MSU +$5,800
NMSU$39,400
MSU$45,200

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 701
  • Admitted
  • NMSU 11,650
  • MSU 453
  • Acceptance rate
  • NMSU 89%
  • MSU 64.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NMSU 20.6%
  • MSU 77.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NMSU 990
  • MSU 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • NMSU 20
  • MSU 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • NMSU 3.55
  • MSU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • NMSU A-
  • MSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • NMSU Very Easy
  • MSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • NMSU
  • MSU Low
  • SAT range
  • NMSU 870-1110
  • MSU 930-1140
  • ACT range
  • NMSU 17-24
  • MSU 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • NMSU Test optional
  • MSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • NMSU
  • MSU Jun 30, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NMSU $8,183
  • MSU $8,702
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NMSU $25,307
  • MSU $8,702
  • Room & board
  • NMSU $12,282
  • MSU $8,534
  • Average net price
  • NMSU $10,719
  • MSU $13,092
  • Average grant aid
  • NMSU $14,420
  • MSU $6,016
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NMSU 96%
  • MSU 90%
  • Graduation rate
  • NMSU 46%
  • MSU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NMSU $39,400
  • MSU $45,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • NMSU 44%
  • MSU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NMSU $17,118
  • MSU $18,725
  • Median loan payment
  • NMSU $176
  • MSU $193
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NMSU 16:1
  • MSU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • NMSU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • MSU
    • Business (36%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Human Services (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Location
  • NMSU Las Cruces, NM
  • MSU Minot, ND
  • Setting
  • NMSU Midsize Suburban
  • MSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • NMSU 15,408
  • MSU 2,751
  • Type
  • NMSU Public 4 Year
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NMSU #788
  • MSU #616

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM with Minot State University in Minot, ND 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. 2,751 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • New Mexico State University Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); Minot State University is in Minot, ND (Remote Town setting).
  • New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minot State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1; Minot State University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minot State University are 30.5% lower than at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($8,534 vs. $12,282).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 190.8% higher at NMSU than at Minot State University (about $16,605 more per year; $25,307 vs. $8,702).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Minot State University (96% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 139.7% larger than aid received by Minot State University students ($14,420 vs. $6,016).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at MSU than at NMSU (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both NMSU and MSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MSU Jun 30, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NMSU average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at MSU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at NMSU vs. 77.9% at MSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $1,607 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($17,118 vs. $18,725).
  • Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($176 vs. $193).
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation (74% 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
Minot State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges