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#3 Best Colleges in New Mexico

NMSU Admission Requirements

Las Cruces, New Mexico

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Your chances of getting into New Mexico State University Main Campus

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

78%
Admission Difficulty for New Mexico State University Main Campus
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at NMSU is 78%.  Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in New Mexico.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into NMSU and can you get accepted?

New Mexico State University Main Campus is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 12,378 out of the 15,860 who applied were admitted.

New Mexico State University Main Campus typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.55. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into NMSU?

78% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to New Mexico State University Main Campus you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.55 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1020 on the SAT
  • Score 20 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

NMSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.55

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into New Mexico State University Main Campus?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into NMSU are to have around a 3.55 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.55 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as NMSU accepts 78% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at NMSU is 3.55 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in New Mexico for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since NMSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted New Mexico State University Main Campus students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 19.4% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.3% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 19.2% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 16.1% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.5% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 12.1% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.3% Reach
less than 1.00 0.3% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

NMSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to New Mexico State University Main Campus. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 44% of students submitted SAT scores and 26% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

900-1140

Applicants Submitting SAT 

44%
SAT Scores for New Mexico State University Main Campus
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 450
Math 25th Percentile 450
Composite 25th Percentile 900
SAT Scores for New Mexico State University Main Campus
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 580
Math 75th Percentile 560
Composite 75th Percentile 1140
Average SAT Score 1020

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to New Mexico State University Main Campus?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at NMSU is 1020 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 900-1140. Students who get into New Mexico State University Main Campus score in the top 78 percent of all SAT test takers..  NMSU ranks #4 in the state of New Mexico for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1020 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. NMSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 900 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 900, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 780, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

New Mexico State University Main Campus is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1020 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1020, you have around a 78% chance of being admitted. A 1140 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 87% chance of getting in.

New Mexico State University Main Campus admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1140 and Above Good >87%
1020 to 1140 Avg + 78%-87%
900 to 1020 Avg - 65%-78%
780 to 900 Reach 50%-65%
Less than 780 Low <50%
Calculate My Chances 

NMSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

17-23 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

26%
ACT Scores for New Mexico State University Main Campus
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 15
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 17
ACT Scores for New Mexico State University Main Campus
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 22
Math 75th Percentile 23
Composite 75th Percentile 23
Average ACT Score 20

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into NMSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to NMSU is 20, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 23.  The school ranks #4 in New Mexico for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 20. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.

26 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to New Mexico State University Main Campus.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as New Mexico State University Main Campus is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into NMSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 20 score has around 78% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 87% with a 23 ACT score.

New Mexico State University Main Campus admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
23 and Above Good >87%
20 to 23 Avg + 78%-87%
17 to 20 Avg - 65%-78%
14 to 17 Reach 50%-65%
Less than 14 Low <50%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

81% of New Mexico State University Main Campus freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 50% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted New Mexico State University Main Campus students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 21%
Top 25% of class 50%
Top 50% of class 81%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

New Mexico State University Main Campus admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 9,852 6,008 15,860
Accepted 7,785 4,593 12,378
Acceptance Rate 79% 76% 78%
Enrolled 1,381 944 2,325
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 21% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to New Mexico State University Main Campus is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to New Mexico State University Main Campus and what student information is used for admission decisions?

New Mexico State University Main Campus Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at New Mexico State University Main Campus
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because New Mexico State University Main Campus is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.55 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1020 and ACT of 20 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to New Mexico State University Main Campus often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=188030 IPEDS survey data for New Mexico State University Main Campus.

FAQs

Does New Mexico State University Main Campus prefer SAT or ACT?

44% of students submit their SAT scores to NMSU. 26% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into New Mexico State University Main Campus?

78% of those who apply are granted admission to NMSU. Admission competition is and the college has extremely easy admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for New Mexico State University Main Campus?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 900 and 1140. The average SAT score is 1020. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for New Mexico State University Main Campus?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 17 and 23. The average ACT score is 20. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.