New Mexico State University-Main Campus (NMSU) vs University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
New Mexico State University-Main Campus and University of Alaska Fairbanks, both public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. NMSU-Main boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to UAF's (79%), making it a more accessible option. UAF, however, has a slightly higher graduation rate (49% vs. 46%). While NMSU-Main excels in engineering, education, and nursing, UAF shines in engineering, biological sciences, and social sciences. NMSU-Main's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of Hispanic students, while UAF's student body is predominantly White. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() New Mexico State University-Main Campus |
![]() University of Alaska Fairbanks |
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Overview |
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Location | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Fairbanks, Alaska |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 72.0% | 68.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 57.3% | 64.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$40
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$75
|
SAT range | 920 - 1140 | 1110 - 1360 |
ACT range | 17 - 23 | 17 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 36.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 33.0% | 16.0% |
Total number of applicants | 12,535 | 1,402 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,177 | 907 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,013 | 678 |
Yield rate | 28.0% | 74.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,010
Out of state:
$38,476
|
In state:
$25,548
Out of state:
$39,684
|
Average net price | $11,397 | $9,379 |
Tuition |
In state:
$6,041
Out of state:
$22,507
|
In state:
$5,616
Out of state:
$19,200
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,507
Meal plan:
$4,900
|
Room/dormitory:
$5,150
Meal plan:
$5,390
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $11,518 |
90.0%
Average amount $8,808 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
30.0%
Average amount $3,491 |
21.0%
Average amount $5,312 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $10,115 |
2.0%
Average amount $13,596 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
11,231
Men 41.9% Women 58.1% |
5,844
Men 38.4% Women 61.6% |
Graduate students |
2,673
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
982
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 29.0% | 17.1% |
International students | 5.1% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 3,384 | 1,554 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New Mexico Texas Arizona California Colorado | Alaska Washington California Oregon Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 50.4% | 38.4% |
Dropout rate | 45.8% | 39.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 18.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Industrial Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
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