


UNM holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation or approval of a particular degree program.
Some UNM programs also have profession-specific accreditation or oversight. For example, applicants to engineering, business, nursing, teaching, or other licensed fields should check the current status of the exact program and campus they intend to enter. Accreditation can matter for eligibility for federal financial aid and for whether another institution will consider transfer credit. It does not, by itself, guarantee that credits will transfer or that a graduate will meet a state's licensing requirements. Students considering a licensed profession should compare the program's published disclosures with the rules in the state where they expect to practice.
First-year applicants to UNM generally apply with a completed undergraduate application and an official high school transcript or an accepted high school equivalency credential. The university reviews the applicant's academic record, including preparation in college-preparatory subjects; admission is not automatic.
UNM considers SAT or ACT scores but does not generally require them for first-year admission. Recommendations and class rank are not standard requirements. An applicant should not assume that declining to submit scores eliminates other requirements, such as a transcript or proof of graduation. International applicants may need to document English-language proficiency under the rules for their applicant category.
Requirements can differ for transfer students, international students, returning students, and applicants to selective programs. Students seeking a particular major should check whether it has an additional application, prerequisites, or a separate deadline. Published term deadlines also deserve attention: an admission deadline may be later than a scholarship or program deadline.
The reported undergraduate application fee for UNM is $25. Applicants should check the current fee shown in the application before submitting it, because charges and waiver procedures can vary by application type or applicant category.
Students who cannot afford the fee should look for the application's fee-waiver option or ask undergraduate admissions about eligibility and documentation before paying. A waiver of an application fee is separate from financial aid, an enrollment deposit, and any later orientation or course charges. Graduate and professional programs may use different applications and fees.
UNM has on-campus Army, Air Force, and Navy ROTC opportunities. Students interested in one of these paths should speak with the relevant unit as well as the undergraduate admissions office, because ROTC participation and admission to UNM are separate processes.
ROTC combines college coursework with military training and may offer scholarships to eligible students. Scholarship selection, medical and citizenship requirements, and a potential post-graduation service obligation depend on the branch and the student's status. Joining an introductory class does not necessarily mean receiving a scholarship or commissioning. Students should obtain the current terms directly from the branch before making a financial or service commitment.
UNM accepts applications from transfer students and generally considers credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfers can enter in fall, spring, or summer, subject to the applicable admission and program deadlines.
Applicants should expect to submit official transcripts from every college attended. The number of completed transferable credits can affect whether UNM also reviews high school preparation, while admission to a specific major may require a higher GPA or particular prerequisite courses. Being admitted to the university does not mean every previous course will satisfy a degree requirement: courses may transfer as electives, meet general education requirements, or count toward a major only after further review.
UNM provides transfer-credit evaluation resources, and New Mexico students may also benefit from statewide course-transfer arrangements. Students planning a move should compare course equivalencies with the intended degree plan and request an official evaluation. Credit by examination, including CLEP and DSST, may be considered under UNM's credit policies; limits and degree applicability still matter.
UNM students can explore international study through the university's Global Education Office. Options may include exchange placements, shorter faculty-led courses, and approved programs run with outside partners.
These routes are not interchangeable. An exchange, a UNM-led course, and a third-party program can have different tuition arrangements, calendars, housing, and methods for awarding credit. Students should obtain academic approval before departure so they understand how courses will apply to their degree. They should also check program-specific eligibility, travel requirements, scholarship deadlines, and whether their particular financial aid can be used. Major sequencing can be especially important for students whose required courses are offered only once a year.
31% of admitted students enrolled (3,642 of 11,678)
Application fee
$25Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite ACT score
23Percent of students submitting ACT scores
8%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
54%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Neither required nor recommendedSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
Neither required nor recommendedFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Navy
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit on campusStudy abroad
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.