Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is a student budget for educational expenses for the fall and spring semesters that make up the academic year. Fall and spring semester budgets will each be calculated for 4.5 months, and a summer budget will be calculated for 3 months.

While this is a full-student budget, students are not expected to pay all these costs to NMSU. Costs paid directly to NMSU are dependent on tuition and fee rates based on your credit hours, whether or not you live on campus, and the meal plan you choose. 

2024-25 Undergraduate Cost of Attendance

Direct costs refer to the expenses a student would typically pay directly to NMSU University Accounts Receivable (UAR). 

*For undergraduate students, these are estimated expenses for a freshmanan living on campus and enrolled in 15 credit hours.

†Actual cost for on-campus Housing will vary depending on chosen residence hall and dining membership. Costs above for Housing are based on the yearly rate for double occupancy. The cost will be adjusted for students who live off-campus or at home and will be published within their Financing Plan from NMSU.

‡These expenses are included in your Cost of Attendance but are NOT charged directly to your student account. You will not owe NMSU for these amounts.

Indirect costs refer to the full budget that a student should plan for while attending NMSU.

2024-25 Graduate Cost of Attendance

Direct Costs refer to the expenses a student would typically pay directly to NMSU University Accounts Receivable (UAR) for full time enrollment (9 credit hours). 

*For graduate students, these are estimated expenses for students living on campus and enrolled in 9 credit hours.

†Actual cost for on-campus Housing will vary depending on chosen residence hall and dining membership. Costs above for Housing are based on the yearly rate for double occupancy. The cost will be adjusted for students who live off-campus or at home and will be published within their Financing Plan from NMSU.

‡These expenses are included in your Cost of Attendance but are NOT charged directly to your student account. You will not owe NMSU these amounts.

Indirect Costs refer to the full budget that a student should plan for while attending NMSU.

How do I view my Cost of Attendance?

To view your Cost of Attendance, log in to your myNMSU account and find your Award Overview under the Financial Aid section under Quick Links.

Overview of Expenses

Tuition and Fees will be determined based on the exact cost of the program (Undergraduate/Graduate) in which you are enrolled, and the credit hours you are taking in a single semester. 

Room and Board will be determined according to information received from your FAFSA and your home campus. Room and board rates are based on a survey of apartments, dorms, meal plans and food expenses located in the vicinity of your home campus. Students may be ineligible for the Room component if they receive a military housing stipend or are independent and live at home. You will be ineligible for both a Room and Board component if you are enrolled less than half-time (6 hours for undergraduates and 5 hours for graduates) or if you are currently incarcerated. Follow this link to review NMSU On-Campus Housing Rates. 

Dining Membership will be calculated for students who are enrolled in a dining plan through NMSU. If a student does not have a dining membership, a fixed estimate is used. Follow this link to review NMSU Meal Plans and Rates. 

Books and Supplies will be calculated for all students using national averages obtained from The College Board and/or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Personal Expenses will be calculated for all students using national averages obtained from The College Board and/or the IRS. Personal expenses include costs for clothing, toiletries, recreational and other miscellaneous expenses. You will be ineligible for a Personal Expenses component if you are enrolled less than half-time (6 hours for undergraduates and 5 hours for graduates).

Transportation will be calculated for all students using national averages obtained from The College Board and/or the IRS. Transportation costs are based on a student living locally and commuting to class five days a week.

Please keep in mind that your budget will change to reflect any updates you may make to your student record and/or FAFSA.