New Mexico State University-Main Campus (NMSU) vs UIdaho
New Mexico State University-Main Campus and University of Idaho, both public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. New Mexico State University-Main Campus, located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to University of Idaho's 83%. With a larger student body, New Mexico State University-Main Campus offers a more diverse range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like engineering, nursing, and business. On the other hand, University of Idaho, situated in Moscow, Idaho, excels in forestry, agriculture, and engineering, attracting students seeking a more focused education in these fields. While both universities offer a vibrant campus life, New Mexico State University-Main Campus has a slightly higher graduation rate (58%) than University of Idaho's 56%. Explore the detailed comparison table below 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 Idaho |
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Overview |
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Location | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Moscow, Idaho |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Town: Distant |
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% | 75.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 57.3% | 81.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$40
|
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 920 - 1140 | 990 - 1220 |
ACT range | 17 - 23 | 20 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 36.0% | 65.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 33.0% | 14.0% |
Total number of applicants | 12,535 | 9,814 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,177 | 7,987 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,013 | 1,656 |
Yield rate | 28.0% | 20.7% |
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:
$22,254
Out of state:
$41,490
|
Average net price | $11,397 | $15,435 |
Tuition |
In state:
$6,041
Out of state:
$22,507
|
In state:
$6,182
Out of state:
$25,418
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,507
Meal plan:
$4,900
|
$9,610 |
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $11,518 |
97.0%
Average amount $12,208 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
30.0%
Average amount $3,491 |
42.0%
Average amount $4,946 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $10,115 |
3.0%
Average amount $12,339 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
11,231
Men 41.9% Women 58.1% |
8,631
Men 47.7% Women 52.3% |
Graduate students |
2,673
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
2,672
Men 49.6% Women 50.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 29.0% | 33.2% |
International students | 5.1% | 4.7% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 3,384 | 2,310 |
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 | Idaho Washington California Oregon Nevada |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 50.4% | 59.2% |
Dropout rate | 45.8% | 17.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 21.7% |
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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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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