More selective than 60% of New Mexico colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
71% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 22% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose NMSU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have NMSU's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at NMSU or have its file? Send it to us.
NMSU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, NMSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 450 | 570 |
| SAT math | 420 | 540 |
| ACT composite | 17 | 24 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 870 | 1110 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
NMSU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 89% | 450–570 | 420–540 | 17–24 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 76% | 450–560 | 435–550 | 17–24 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is NMSU compared with other New Mexico colleges?
NMSU has the 3rd-lowest acceptance rate of 6 New Mexico colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | 44% | 57% | $9,873 |
| 2 | St. John's College | 53% | 55% | $26,674 |
| 3 | New Mexico State University | 89% | 55% | $8,889 |
| 4 | Eastern New Mexico University | 92% | 45% | $4,904 |
| 5 | University of New Mexico | 95% | 55% | $15,489 |
| 6 | Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development | 97% | 15% | $12,570 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All New Mexico colleges →
Who enrolls at NMSU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
NMSU admissions questions
What is the NMSU acceptance rate?
New Mexico State University accepts 89% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 11,511 of 15,201 applicants were admitted.
Does NMSU require the SAT or ACT?
New Mexico State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 71% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for NMSU?
The middle 50% of New Mexico State University enrolled first-year students scored 870–1110 on the SAT and 17–24 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at NMSU?
21% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,391 of 11,511).
Is NMSU getting harder to get into?
New Mexico State University accepted 89% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 76% for Fall 2023.
Is NMSU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to New Mexico State University overview