About New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University is located in New Mexico, which the 2000 census concluded is now a minority-dominated state, with a population that is 52% minority. New Mexico was ranked first in Hispanic population (40.7%), and second in Native American population (9.5%). The NMSU main campus is located in the southern end of the state in Dona Ana County, with a 63.4% Hispanic population.  “New Mexico State University is the state's land-grant university, serving the educational needs of New Mexico's diverse population through comprehensive programs of education, research, extension education, and public service” (Mission Statement).  As the state’s land grant university, it has a presence in every county in the state through its branch campuses and Extension Service, allowing much of New Mexico’s population ready access to educational opportunities.  The University’s main campus is organized into six colleges and a Graduate School. There are more than 16,400 students enrolled in programs at NMSU’s main campus, including 3,205 in graduate and professional degree programs, with approximately 675 regular faculty members of whom 82% hold doctoral degrees.

Currently, undergraduate enrollment is 52% minority, whereas graduate enrollment is approximately 33% minority.  The minority enrollment effectively makes NMSU a minority-majority institution for undergraduate education.  NMSU is one of only six PhD-granting institutions currently classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as “Doctoral/Research University-Extensive” and Minority Serving Institution by the United States Department of Education.  Further, NMSU is the only Doctoral/Research University-Extensive ranked by the National Science Foundation that serves significant numbers of two underrepresented ethnic minority groups (i.e., Hispanic and American Indian).  The graduation rate (within 6 years of first enrollment) for baccalaureate degrees is 45%.  This rate is commendable given it includes both regular (minimum of 2.0 high school G.P.A. and 20 composite ACT) and provisional (high school G.P.A. of 2.25 and composite ACT of 19) enrollment status.  Further, this rate is the most successful rate of completion among all universities in the state.