Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
University of New Mexico reports a middle 50% SAT of 920 to 1170 (enrolled first-years, 25th-75th percentile, Fall 2025, CDS 2025-26 only 54% submitted an SAT score; 8% submitted ACT). We use 1040 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 920 to 1170 (enrolled first-years, 25th-75th percentile, Fall 2025, CDS 2025-26 only 54% submitted an SAT score; 8% submitted ACT) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 20 to 26 |
| Acceptance rate | 79.9% (10,866 admitted / 13,589 applied, Fall 2025, CDS 2025-26) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants; ACT/SAT not required but considered if submitted |
| Type | Public university |
Source: UNM official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
UNM is the state flagship; a majority of its enrolled first-years did not submit any test score.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| University of New Mexico | 920 to 1170 | 79.9% |
| Eastern New Mexico University | 860 to 1050 | 91.7% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for New Mexico Colleges.
New Mexico has no statewide SAT-cutoff scholarship; the state's main award, the NM Legislative Lottery Scholarship, runs on first-term college GPA (2.5+) and enrollment, not a test score, so score-tied money in New Mexico comes from university tuition scholarships instead.
UNM Amigo Scholarship (non-resident tuition to resident rate): Reduces non-resident tuition to the New Mexico resident rate, renewable 4 years; requires 15 new credit hours and a 2.5 semester GPA to keep it.
NMSU Out-of-State Competitive Tuition Discount: $18,326 per year off non-resident tuition; limited awards, renewal needs a 3.5 cumulative GPA and 30 new credits a year.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our New Mexico SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Valley State University | Michigan | 920 to 1170 |
| University of the Ozarks | Arkansas | 910 to 1180 |
| Keene State College | New Hampshire | 860 to 1240 |
| Marshall University | West Virginia | 940 to 1140 |
A score that is competitive at UNM lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 920 to 1170. A score at or above 1170 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 920 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Yes. UNM lists its policy as: Test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants; ACT/SAT not required but considered if submitted. A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.
79.9% (10,866 admitted / 13,589 applied, Fall 2025, CDS 2025-26). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for UNM? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
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