New Mexico State University Main Campus College Portrait
New Mexico State University Main Campus2850 Weddell Street Las Cruces, NM 88003
(575) 646-3121 or (800) 662-6678
New Mexico State University Main Campus
Live, Learn and Thrive
A highly respected, comprehensive land-grant research institution of higher learning, New Mexico State University is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, extension education and public service at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We provide exceptional opportunities that prepare our students for a global economy, improve the quality of life within the state and far beyond, and help drive economic development in New Mexico and throughout the desert southwest.
There are multiple learning avenues within the NMSU system, which includes five campuses, a classroom center in Albuquerque, cooperative extension offices located in each of New Mexico's 33 counties, and 13 research and science centers, as well as distance education. NMSU is a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution and boasts the only Honors College in New Mexico.
Living in the Aggies Community
Our statewide presence allows us to provide opportunities for teaching and learning, research and service to all of New Mexico and students across the country and around the world.
Located in the beautiful, historic Mesilla Valley, NMSU is home to a diverse population of the very finest students, faculty, researchers, extension agents, staff and benefactors. Excellent teaching is a hallmark of New Mexico State University. Students from across the nation and around the world achieve their academic and personal goals in a supportive, vibrant atmosphere. Our students learn from accomplished researchers, scientists, engineers, writers, and artists, just to name a few. NMSU is a premier research university with dedicated faculty and staff committed to student success.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
More Information
| Total Students | 18,582 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 14,829 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 8,085 | 55% |
| Men | 6,744 | 45% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 467 | 3% |
| Asian | 245 | 2% |
| African American / Black | 476 | 3% |
| Hispanic | 7,046 | 48% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 12 | <1% |
| White | 5,056 | 34% |
| Two or More Races | 69 | <1% |
| International | 401 | 3% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 1,057 | 7% |
| Where do NMSU undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | 78% |
| Other US States & Territories | 20% |
| Other Countries | 3% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are NMSU undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 22 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 24% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 17 - 23 | |
| Math | 17 - 23 | 420 - 530 |
| English | 16 - 24 | |
| Critical Reading | 410 - 530 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 42% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 75% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 84% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.28 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 99% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2009-10 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $17,425
Out-of-State & Other Costs
More Information
The cost to attend New Mexico State University Main Campus varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 53% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $6,383. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 41% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $11,425. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2008-2009 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
NMSU Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 20 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 70% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 90% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 686 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 39% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 19% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 79% |
More Information
Campus-based Housing
45% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
20% of all undergraduates live on campus
More Information
Campus Safety
In the 1950's, the university determined there was a need for its own police department. Since its inception over half a century ago, the NMSU police department has grown to become a highly trained and capable department that provides patrol, criminal investigation, and emergency dispatching services for the university. While most efforts are focused at the Las Cruces campus, the department also assists the other facilities around the state in preparedness activities, crime prevention programs, and special criminal investigations.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Research Universities (high research activity)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily nonresidential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, inclusive
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Professions plus arts & sciences, high graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Comprehensive doctoral (no medical/veterinary)
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Student Activities and Involvement at NMSU
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 95% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 62% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 22% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 86% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 22% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 50% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 60% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 11% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 94% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 91% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 66% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 55% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 94% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 53% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 76% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 95% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 72% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 61% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 81% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 60% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 84% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 82% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 77% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at New Mexico State University Main Campus in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Associate's | 28 |
| Bachelor's | 2,335 |
| Master's | 798 |
| Doctoral | 65 |
| Total | 3,226 |
More Information
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS | 8% |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 6% |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 5% |
| General Studies | 4% |
| Hospitality Administration/Management, General | 4% |
| Links to degree programs at New Mexico State University Main Campus |
|---|
Associate'sBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A four-year success and progress rate means that of students starting in Fall either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
More Information
Counts for the Fall entering class shown in the graph above.
- 0 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 0 Full-Time Transfer Students
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 75%
More Information
Student Learning at New Mexico State University Main Campus
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
The CLA will be administered at NMSU to measure learning outcomes for the first time in the 2011-2012 Academic Year.