New Mexico State University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
With an 89% acceptance rate, New Mexico State gives you a realistic admissions path, so your strategy should include fit, affordability, and staying on track to graduate. Even with test-optional admissions, since 68% of applicants submit SAT scores, aiming near 1110 gives you a concrete benchmark.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
New Mexico State University facts and stats
New Mexico State University enrolls about 12,498 undergraduates in a suburban campus setting. New Mexico State has a 73% freshman retention rate, which is slightly above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 55%, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1.
Las Cruces, NM
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Key New Mexico State University application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
—
Early Action
Not offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
March 1
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you choose to submit scores to test-optional New Mexico State, take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and early fall for superscore-friendly retakes. New Mexico State does not offer Early Action or Early Decision, and its March 1 financial aid priority deadline is not tied to test scores, so confirm the Regular Decision deadline before relying on a late fall retake.
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What you'll actually pay
New Mexico State, a public Conference USA university, lists in-state tuition at $6,728 and out-of-state tuition at $25,055. About 71% of students receive aid, and the FAFSA priority deadline is March 1.
New Mexico State’s out-of-state tuition is $25,055, compared with $6,728 for in-state students, and room and board adds $12,282. About 71% of students receive aid, with an average aid package of $19,826. Merit awards average $3,156. Students graduate with an average debt of $18,080.
Student life at New Mexico State University
22% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Guaranteed
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 2% of men join fraternities, and 2% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NMAcceptance rate: 100%
University of the Southwest
Hobbs, NMAcceptance rate: 100%
ACT: 15–21
Dona Ana Community College
Las Cruces, NMAcceptance rate: 92.5%
Clovis Community College, New Mexico
Clovis, NMAcceptance rate: 92.5%
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