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University of New Mexico

#186 in US ranking Albuquerque, NM
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of New Mexico award
University of New Mexico award

Cost

Cost / year
$24,715
Tuition & fees
$10,383
Avg. aid
$12,854
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
95%
SAT range
890–1170
ACT range
19–26

Outcomes

Graduation rate
55%
Median salary
$46,418
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of University of New Mexico?

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.

What are the admission requirements at University of New Mexico?

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.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of New Mexico?

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.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of New Mexico?

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.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of New Mexico?

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.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of New Mexico?

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.

University of New Mexico Admissions Factors

SAT range
890–1170
4001600
ACT range
19–26
136
Acceptance rate
95%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
95%
New Mexico
89%
US
78%

31% of admitted students enrolled (3,642 of 11,678)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

University of New Mexico Admissions

Applicants
Total: 12,269
Admission
Total: 11,678
Enrolled
Total: 3,642
Women
Men

How to Apply to University of New Mexico

Application fee

$25

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

University of New Mexico First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 2,933
Out-of-state: 529
International: 54

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 3,527
Transfer: 1,212

University of New Mexico Admission Requirements

Median composite ACT score

23

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

8%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

54%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Navy

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

University of New Mexico Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data 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.

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