University of New Mexico-Main Campus (UNM) vs Texas Tech

When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University of New Mexico-Main Campus and Texas Tech University, both located in vibrant college towns, offer distinct experiences. UNM boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. In contrast, Texas Tech is known for its strong engineering and business programs, attracting students with specific career aspirations. While UNM has a more diverse student body, Texas Tech has a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into these differences and more, including popular majors, costs, and campus life, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	Texas Tech University	University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Lubbock, Texas	Albuquerque, New Mexico
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	85.0%	68.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	67.9%	97.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1110 - 1280	N/A
ACT range	23 - 28	19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score	31.0%
Students submitting ACT score	16.0%	28.0%
Total number of applicants	33,756	11,346
Total number of admissions given out	22,908	11,036
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,629	3,077
Yield rate	28.9%	27.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,782 Out of state: $40,052	In state: $23,725 Out of state: $41,063
Average net price	$17,057	$11,396
Tuition	In state: $8,935 Out of state: $21,205	In state: $6,604 Out of state: $23,942
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,694 Meal plan: $3,652	$10,396
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	78.0% Average amount $8,823	98.0% Average amount $7,531
Students receiving federal student loan	40.0% Average amount $5,243	54.0% Average amount $5,240
Students taking out private loans	10.0% Average amount $14,606	2.0% Average amount $10,500

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	33,132 Men 51.0% Women 49.0%	15,793 Men 41.6% Women 58.4%
Graduate students	7,410 Men 44.6% Women 55.4%	6,346 Men 44.1% Women 55.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	9.3%	21.2%
International students	5.1%	4.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	8,069	2,492
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas New Mexico California Colorado Illinois	New Mexico Texas California Colorado Arizona

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Family and Consumer Sciences	Health Professions Business Engineering Education Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.7%	53.6%
Dropout rate	7.5%	40.9%
Transferred out	27.6%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $82,752 Year 2: $89,305 Year 3: $105,747 Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,229 Year 2: $83,325 Year 3: $103,896 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $83,915 Year 3: $85,017 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,234 Year 2: $73,562 Year 3: $83,187 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,975 Year 2: $73,530 Year 3: $80,320 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,153 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,178 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,931 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $79,461 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $63,983 Year 2: $60,854 Year 3: $79,100 Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,843 Year 2: $68,139 Year 3: $78,681 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,271 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $78,073	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $117,174 Year 2: $124,631 Year 3: $128,888 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,409 Year 2: $94,999 Year 3: $106,457 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,927 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $86,346 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,115 Year 2: $65,053 Year 3: $83,794 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $59,598 Year 2: $68,965 Year 3: $76,357 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,723 Year 2: $70,863 Year 3: $74,672 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,481 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $71,489 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,379 Year 2: $65,424 Year 3: $70,962 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,309 Year 2: $60,771 Year 3: $69,058 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,774 Year 2: $59,688 Year 3: $68,840

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between UNM and Texas Tech?

The University of New Mexico (UNM) is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city known for its high desert climate, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant arts scene. The campus architecture reflects a Pueblo Revival style. Texas Tech University (TTU) is situated in Lubbock, Texas, a city in the South Plains region. Lubbock has a more traditional Texas feel, with a flatter landscape and a strong focus on agriculture and engineering. TTU's campus features a distinctive Spanish Renaissance architectural style.
How do UNM and Texas Tech compare in terms of size and student population?

UNM is a mid-sized university with a student population of around 22,000, offering a balance between a large university experience and a more personal atmosphere. Texas Tech is a larger university, typically enrolling over 40,000 students. This larger size can offer a wider range of resources and opportunities, but may also mean larger class sizes in some cases.
Which university, UNM or Texas Tech, is known for specific academic strengths?

UNM is particularly strong in fields like Southwestern studies, anthropology, Latin American studies, and medicine, reflecting its location and regional focus. Texas Tech is well-regarded for its programs in engineering, agriculture, wind science, and business. Consider your academic interests when making your decision.
How do the costs of attending UNM and Texas Tech compare, considering tuition and living expenses?

Generally, tuition at UNM is lower for in-state students compared to Texas Tech. However, out-of-state tuition at UNM can be competitive. Living expenses in Albuquerque and Lubbock are relatively similar, but this can vary depending on your lifestyle and housing choices. Be sure to check the latest tuition and fee schedules on each university's website and factor in estimated living costs.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities can I expect at UNM versus Texas Tech?

UNM offers a diverse range of student organizations, reflecting the multicultural environment of New Mexico. You'll find clubs related to arts, culture, academics, and outdoor activities. Texas Tech has a very active student life, with a strong emphasis on Greek life, sports, and a wide variety of student organizations. Both universities offer numerous opportunities to get involved and make friends.
How do the athletic programs at UNM and Texas Tech differ?

Both UNM and Texas Tech are NCAA Division I schools. UNM competes in the Mountain West Conference, while Texas Tech is part of the Big 12 Conference. Texas Tech's athletic programs, particularly football and basketball, tend to have a higher national profile. UNM also has competitive programs, especially in sports like cross country and soccer. Consider which sports you enjoy watching or participating in when making your decision.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from UNM or Texas Tech?

UNM graduates often find opportunities in New Mexico's government, healthcare, technology, and research sectors. Texas Tech graduates have strong career prospects in Texas's energy, agriculture, engineering, and business industries. Your career goals should influence your choice of university, as each school has strong connections to different regional economies.
How do the admission requirements compare between UNM and Texas Tech?

Both universities consider factors like GPA, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may apply), and extracurricular activities. Texas Tech may have slightly more competitive admission standards overall, but this can vary depending on the specific program you're applying to. Check each university's admissions website for the most up-to-date requirements.
What kind of financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available at UNM and Texas Tech?

Both UNM and Texas Tech offer a variety of financial aid options, including federal grants, state grants, and university-specific scholarships. The amount of aid you receive will depend on your financial need and academic merit. Be sure to complete the FAFSA and explore scholarship opportunities on each university's website. Texas Tech, being a larger institution, may have a larger pool of scholarship funds available.
What is the overall campus culture like at UNM versus Texas Tech?

UNM has a more diverse and multicultural campus environment, reflecting the demographics of New Mexico. It tends to be more academically focused and research-oriented. Texas Tech has a more traditional college atmosphere, with a strong emphasis on school spirit and community. The best fit for you will depend on your personal preferences and values.

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