New Mexico State University (NMSU or NM State) is a public land-grant research institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Established in 1888, it holds the distinction of being New Mexico's oldest public institution of higher education and the state's original land-grant university. NMSU operates as a university system, with its main campus in Las Cruces and branch campuses in Alamogordo, Doña Ana County, and Grants. Additionally, the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service maintains programs and centers across all 33 counties in New Mexico.
Originally founded as Las Cruces College, the institution was designated a land-grant college in 1889 and renamed New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. It adopted its current name, New Mexico State University, in 1960. Offering more than 180 degree programs, NMSU includes 96 baccalaureate, 58 master's, and 28 doctoral programs. As of Fall 2021, the university had an enrollment of approximately 21,700 students and a faculty-to-student ratio of about 1 to 16. The Aggies, NMSU’s athletic teams, compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of Conference USA.
What is the New Mexico State University US News National Rankings 2025?
New Mexico State University ranks 244 according to the US News National Rankings 2025.
Campus
The main campus of New Mexico State University (NMSU) spans 900 acres (360 hectares) at the heart of Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is nestled near Interstate 25 and surrounded by a blend of desert landscapes and greenhouses. The campus is also bordered by Interstate 10, a major east–west highway connecting the southern United States. To the east of Interstate 25, notable facilities include the President's residence, the NMSU Golf Course, the western slope of "A" Mountain, and the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
South of University Avenue, the campus features Pan American Plaza, a 48-acre horse farm, and the Fabian Garcia Science Center. This center supports diverse research and educational initiatives, including the Chile Pepper Institute's teaching and demonstration garden, algal biofuels research facilities, grape vineyards, gazebos, and extensive plant research fields and greenhouses. Additionally, about six miles south of the main campus lies the Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center, which spans 203 acres and supports agricultural studies.
New Mexico State University Global Ranking
The University is still awaiting its official rankings from prominent organisations such as QS, Times Higher Education, and US News and World Report. Despite its growing reputation and contributions to academia, the university has not yet been featured in the rankings published by these influential bodies. But it has been ranked at #244 out of 436 national universities in the U.S. News and #801-1000 in World University Rankings by THE in 2025.
Although the University continues to develop its academic programs and research initiatives, it remains unranked by these major international ranking institutions. The absence of a ranking from QS, Times Higher Education, and US News does not reflect the quality of education or research output but simply indicates that the university has not been formally assessed by these specific agencies.
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Frequently asked questions on New Mexico State University Ranking 2025
1: What are the most popular fields of study?
A: NMSU is a comprehensive university. Popular undergraduate majors are in the basic sciences, technology, engineering, math, health, business, and education. Graduate students often enroll in degree programs in the educational areas of education (Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Administration), Business Administration, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Biology and Molecular Biology, and Social Work.
2: How many international students are there at NMSU, and where are they from?
A: Currently NMSU enrolls more than 700 international students from over 80 countries. The largest international student populations are from India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and China. Does not include students who have obtained U.S. permanent residency or citizenship.