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New Mexico State University-Main Campus

NMSU

Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8001

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanSports culture

Known for business — excellent value

New Mexico State University-Main Campus is a public institution in Las Cruces with particular strength in business and engineering. With an average SAT of 1004, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 11.6K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

52% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $39,067 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $6,747.

Established
1888
Mascot
Pistol Pete
Type
Public land-grant research university

Campus Visits

36 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Visit

Plan Your Visit

76%Acceptance
1004SAT Avg
11,561Students
15:1Student:Faculty
52%Grad Rate
$39,067Earnings 10yr
$6,747Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate75.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1004

Reading & WritingMid: 525
450560
MathMid: 505
435550

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 20
1724

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,147
Tuition (out-of-state)$25,271
Room & Board$12,026
Books & Supplies$1,240
Total Cost of Attendance$20,930
Average Net Price$6,747
Median Debt at Graduation$17,095
Monthly Payment (10yr)$181

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$5,104
$30–48K$5,724
$48–75K$8,877
$75–110K$10,223
$110K+$10,360

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

77.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$10,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

82

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

19

Burglary

4

Aggravated Assault

3

Robbery

6

Motor Vehicle Theft

9

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

23

Drug Arrests

17

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (251)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

75%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
11,561
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
44%
Pell Grant Recipients
40%

Race & Ethnicity

White 25%
Black 2%
Hispanic 63%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate52.2%
Freshman Retention74.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$32,960
10 Years$39,067

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#222
vs 2024
Forbes
#418
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#130
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Aggies

EquestrianBasketball coach

History & Fun Facts

  • History Hiram Hadley Hiram Hadley, an Earlham College-educated teacher from Indiana, founded Las Cruces College.
  • Upon its opening on September 17, 1888, it included an elementary school, a university preparatory school, and a business school; it "was not a college in the contemporary meaning of the word.
  • Las Cruces College merged with the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts and opened on January 21, 1890.
  • The college was supposed to graduate its first student in 1893, but the only senior, Sam Steel, was murdered before he was able to receive his diploma.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

96Average

Estimated from NM state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Phoenixpop. 1.6M
319 mi(553 min)
Denverpop. 710K
525 mi(910 min)
San Antoniopop. 1.5M
528 mi(915 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ABQ Albuquerque191 mi
PHX Phoenix315 mi
SAT San Antonio526 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2063 mi · ~59h 36m drive
New York, NY1897 mi · ~54h 48m drive
Hartford, CT1976 mi · ~57h 5m drive
Providence, RI2041 mi · ~58h 58m drive
Albany, NY1931 mi · ~55h 47m drive
Syracuse, NY1819 mi · ~52h 33m drive
Rochester, NY1749 mi · ~50h 32m drive
Buffalo, NY1682 mi · ~48h 35m drive
Philadelphia, PA1830 mi · ~52h 52m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1584 mi · ~45h 46m drive
Harrisburg, PA1743 mi · ~50h 21m drive
Newark, NJ1889 mi · ~54h 34m drive
Washington, DC1723 mi · ~49h 47m drive
Baltimore, MD1748 mi · ~50h 30m drive
Atlanta, GA1297 mi · ~37h 28m drive
Charlotte, NC1498 mi · ~43h 17m drive
Raleigh, NC1622 mi · ~46h 51m drive
Miami, FL1662 mi · ~48h 1m drive
Orlando, FL1530 mi · ~44h 12m drive
Tampa, FL1479 mi · ~42h 44m drive
Nashville, TN1170 mi · ~33h 48m drive
New Orleans, LA999 mi · ~28h 52m drive
Richmond, VA1693 mi · ~48h 55m drive
Chicago, IL1241 mi · ~35h 51m drive
Detroit, MI1469 mi · ~42h 26m drive
Minneapolis, MN1137 mi · ~32h 51m drive
St. Louis, MO1028 mi · ~29h 42m drive
Kansas City, MO829 mi · ~23h 57m drive
Indianapolis, IN1258 mi · ~36h 21m drive
Columbus, OH1422 mi · ~41h 5m drive
Cleveland, OH1517 mi · ~43h 49m drive
Milwaukee, WI1266 mi · ~36h 34m drive
Dallas, TX581 mi · ~16h 47m drive
Houston, TX696 mi · ~20h 6m drive
Austin, TX550 mi · ~15h 53m drive
San Antonio, TX528 mi · ~15h 15m drive
Los Angeles, CA675 mi · ~19h 30m drive
San Francisco, CA963 mi · ~27h 49m drive
San Diego, CA607 mi · ~17h 32m drive
Seattle, WA1337 mi · ~38h 37m drive
Portland, OR1248 mi · ~36h 3m drive
Denver, CO525 mi · ~15h 10m drive
Phoenix, AZ319 mi · ~9h 13m drive
Salt Lake City, UT651 mi · ~18h 48m drive
Honolulu, HI3211 mi · ~92h 46m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

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New Mexico State University-Main Campus Application Checklist

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