New Mexico State University facts for kids
 |
|
|
Former names
|
Las Cruces College (1888–1889) New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (1889–1960) |
|---|---|
| Type | Public land-grant research university |
| Established | September 17, 1888 |
| Accreditation | HLC |
|
Academic affiliations
|
|
| Endowment | $343.3 million (2023) |
| Budget | $621 million (all campuses) |
| President | Valerio Ferme |
| Provost | Lakshmi Reddi (interim) |
|
Academic staff
|
1,806 |
| Students | 22,711 (total headcount) 15,408 (Las Cruces campus) |
| Undergraduates | 12,507 (Las Cruces campus) |
| Postgraduates | 2,901 (Las Cruces campus) |
| Location |
,
,
United States
|
| Campus | Midsize suburb, 900 acres (360 ha) |
| Colors | Crimson and white Turquoise (unofficial) |
| Nickname | Aggies |
|
Sporting affiliations
|
NCAA Division I FBS – CUSA |
| Mascot | Pistol Pete |
 |
|
New Mexico State University (often called NMSU or NM State) is a large public university in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is a special kind of university called a land-grant school. This means it gets support from the government to teach about farming and engineering.
NMSU was started in 1888, making it the oldest public college in New Mexico. It has its main campus in Las Cruces. It also has smaller campuses in Alamogordo, Doña Ana County, and Grants. NMSU helps people in all 33 counties of New Mexico through its special programs.
The university first opened as Las Cruces College. In 1889, it became a land-grant college and changed its name to New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. In 1960, it got its current name, New Mexico State University. NMSU offers many different study programs, including degrees for doctors, masters, and bachelors. In Fall 2024, about 22,711 students were enrolled. The university's sports teams are called the Aggies. They compete in NCAA Division I in Conference USA.
As of 2025, NMSU is known for its high level of research. It is a lead university for the New Mexico National Space Grant Consortium. This program helps with space-related studies.
Contents
University History and Growth
New Mexico State University began as Las Cruces College. It was founded by Hiram Hadley, a teacher from Indiana. When it opened on September 17, 1888, it taught elementary, high school, and business classes. It was not a college in the way we think of one today.
A year later, in 1889, the New Mexico government decided to create an agricultural college. This new college was located near Las Cruces. It was chosen as the land-grant college for New Mexico. It was named the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
Las Cruces College joined with the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts. The new school opened on January 21, 1890. It started with 35 students and six teachers. The first main building, McFie Hall (also called Old Main), opened in 1891. In 1960, the college changed its name to New Mexico State University. This new name showed that it offered many more programs.
How the University is Run
The university is managed by the Regents of New Mexico State University. This group has five people chosen by the governor of New Mexico. They make sure the university follows the rules and manages its operations. NMSU has about 840 full-time teachers and 3,113 staff members.
Exploring the NMSU Campus
The main campus of New Mexico State University covers 900 acres in Las Cruces. It is next to Interstate 25 and surrounded by desert. The campus is also near Interstate 10, a major highway. East of Interstate 25, you can find the President's house and the NMSU Golf Course. There is also the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
South of University Avenue, there is a horse farm and the Fabian Garcia Science Center. This center has research areas for chile peppers, grapes, and other plants. About six miles south of campus is the Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center.
The campus is home to Swainson's hawks, a protected bird. During nesting season, these birds can be protective. The first plan for the university campus was a U-shaped drive called the "horseshoe." Old Main, the first building, was at the center. It was destroyed by fire in 1910. Today, the remains of Old Main are a landmark. Hadley Hall, the main administration building, is now at the top of the horseshoe.
NMSU has a presence in all 33 counties of New Mexico. It has a learning center in Albuquerque and 13 research centers. It also offers online classes and has five campuses in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Grants, Doña Ana County, and Las Cruces.
Medical School on Campus
The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) is a private medical school located on NMSU's main campus. Medical students at BCOM can use NMSU's facilities. BCOM started teaching in August 2016. NMSU and BCOM have a program that helps qualified NMSU students get a spot at the medical school. BCOM is one of two medical schools in New Mexico.
University Libraries
NMSU has two main libraries on its campus: Branson Hall Library and Zuhl Library. Together, they have over 1 million books and resources.
Branson Hall Library
Branson Hall Library was built in 1951. It holds books and materials about engineering, business, farming, and science. It also has special collections and government documents. The library has been a place where government documents are kept for the public since 1907.
Zuhl Library
Zuhl Library was built in 1992. This library has books and resources about arts, humanities, and sciences.
Museums and Collections
NMSU has several museums and collections. The NMSU Arthropod Museum has over 150,000 insect specimens. These are used for research and teaching. The University Museum, started in 1959, shows local history and culture. The Klipsch Museum has items from over 80 years of audio engineering. The Zuhl Collection is like an art gallery and natural history museum. It displays thousands of petrified wood, fossils, and minerals.
Academics and Learning Programs
NMSU offers many different study programs. These include subjects like agriculture, education, engineering, and various sciences. There are 58 master's degree programs, 96 bachelor's degree programs, and 28 doctoral programs. Over 4,400 courses are available across 54 academic departments.
Besides the main campus, NMSU has community colleges in Alamogordo, Doña Ana County, and Grants. These colleges offer academic and job-training programs. The university also provides learning programs outside of campus through its Cooperative Extension Service. Its Agricultural Experiment Station does research to help farming, manage natural resources, and improve life quality.
NMSU is divided into six colleges and a graduate school:
- College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Engineering
- College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
- Honors College
- Graduate School
University Rankings and Recognition
| THES World | 801-1000 |
|---|---|
| USNWR National University | 244 |
| Washington Monthly National University | NR |
| Forbes | 418 |
In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked NMSU among the top national universities. It was also ranked among the top public universities in the US. Several of its programs were ranked highly. Forbes magazine listed NMSU as one of "America's Top Colleges in 2021." This was based on things like how much alumni earn and graduation rates. In 2022, NMSU was in the top 35 percent of schools for helping students from all backgrounds succeed.
In 2021, NMSU was named one of the top 100 colleges for Hispanic students. A 2017 report showed NMSU was first in federal funding for science and engineering among schools that serve minority students. NMSU has also been recognized for awarding many degrees to Hispanic and Native American students. In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked NMSU 16th in the nation for supporting women in STEM fields.
Research and Special Programs
NMSU is the main university for New Mexico's Space Grant Program. This program supports space-related studies.
In 2010, NMSU's Physical Sciences Laboratory worked with a British company called Reaction Engines Limited. This company is developing technology for a special spaceplane.
The NMSU Department of Astronomy runs the Sunspot Solar Observatory and Apache Point Observatory. These observatories are in Sunspot, New Mexico. They include the site of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which maps the universe.
NMSU is very active in research. It receives about $150 million each year for research projects. The university's work adds about $1 billion to New Mexico's economy every year. NMSU is the only university to reach the highest level of service for NASA's Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program. This program helps small businesses get advice from university researchers.
Academic Centers and Research Institutes
- Agricultural Experiment Station: This center does research to help farming, manage natural resources, and improve life.
- Arrowhead Center: This center helps local businesses, students, and teachers with business advice and new ideas.
- Institute for Energy and Environment (IEE): This institute focuses on energy and water resources. It aims to provide leadership and technology for these important areas.
- Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Center (M-TEC): This center helps New Mexico's industries by providing education and technical support for manufacturing.
Student Life at NMSU
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | 63% |
|
|
| White | 25% |
|
|
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 3% |
|
|
| Two or more races | 3% |
|
|
| Black | 2% |
|
|
| International student | 2% |
|
|
| Asian | 1% |
|
|
| Unknown | 1% |
|
|
| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | 43% |
|
|
| Affluent | 57% |
|
|
New Mexico State University has over 21,000 students. They come from all over the United States and 71 other countries.
Student Groups and Activities
NMSU has many student groups, including Greek organizations and religious groups. The Associated Students of New Mexico State University (ASNMSU) is the student government. It has a student body president, vice president, 30 senators, and a student supreme court. ASNMSU plans many events, like the homecoming parade and free concerts for students. They also have a free cab program for students.
Student Media
The Round Up is the oldest student newspaper at NMSU. It started in 1907. Today, it mostly publishes news online but also has special print editions.
KRWG-TV is a TV station in Las Cruces owned by NMSU. It is a member of PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).
Puerto del Sol is a literary magazine created by graduate students in the English Department. It has been printed for over fifty years.
News22 is a student-run TV newscast that airs live on KRWG-TV. It is produced by NMSU journalism students. In 2011, News22 added Noticias22 en Español, a Spanish language broadcast.
Kokopelli is an online news publication made by NMSU journalism students. It provides news, features, and sports coverage.
NMSU also owns two radio stations: KRUX (91.5 FM) and KRWG-FM. KRUX is run by students and plays non-commercial music. KRWG-FM (90.7 FM) is a public radio station. It is part of National Public Radio and plays NPR programs.
University Traditions
Aggies Nickname
The nickname "Aggies" comes from the university's beginnings as an agricultural school. It was the state's only land-grant university, focusing on farming.
Victory Bell
In the 1940s, the Victory Bell was a gift from the Class of 1939. It was rung to celebrate Aggie victories. Today, the bell is permanently placed at the football field. It is rung after Aggie touchdowns.
"A" Mountain Tradition
In 1920, students wanted to show their school spirit. They found Tortugas Mountain, three miles east of campus. Students gathered stones to form a big "A" that could be seen from campus. On April 1, they painted the "A" white. For many years, painting the "A" was a big event for all students. Now, Greek student groups continue this tradition.
The Pride of New Mexico Marching Band
The marching band at New Mexico State University is called the Pride of New Mexico. It has about 200 musicians, dancers, and other performers.
The Wonder Dog
At every NMSU home football game, fans watch for the "Wonder Dog." This dog retrieves the kicking tee from the field. This tradition started in the mid-1990s with a dog named Smoki. Smoki was a border collie-Australian shepherd mix. She entertained fans for six years and even appeared in a Hollywood movie. Smoki retired in 2002. The tradition returned in 2012 with a new "Wonder Dog" named Striking, a border collie.
Crimson Fridays
Every Friday, many students, teachers, staff, and alumni of NMSU wear crimson clothes. This shows their support for the university and its sports teams.
NMSU Ring
The official ring of New Mexico State University is given to students in their junior and senior years, and to alumni. It celebrates their achievements and NMSU traditions. The ring ceremony happens every spring and fall at the Aggie Memorial Tower.
The ring is made by Balfour. It can be white gold or yellow gold, with an optional diamond or cubic zirconia. It also comes with a Hatch Chile Ristra. The top of the ring shows the NMSU school seal with three triangles. These triangles represent the university's roles: teaching, research, and service. They also show the connection of Spanish, American Indian, and Anglo cultures in New Mexico. One side of the ring shows the Aggie Memorial Tower, honoring Aggies who served the country. The other side shows the Organ Mountains. Students wear the ring with the school name facing them. After graduating, they turn the ring around to face outward. This means they are ready to face the world.
Noche de Luminarias
"Noche de Luminarias," or "Night of Lights," is a tradition that starts the holiday season. It began in 1984 as a holiday reception. It is one of the largest luminaria displays in New Mexico. Over 6,000 candles are lit inside paper bags. The display starts at the Educational Services Building and goes around the Corbett Center Student Union. The Las Cruces High School band plays music as visitors walk through the lighted path.
NMSU Athletics
NMSU's sports teams are called the Aggies. This nickname comes from the university's history as an agricultural school.
New Mexico State is a member of Conference USA (C-USA) as of July 1, 2023. This is the sixth conference NMSU has been part of for football. Before C-USA, NMSU was in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) for eighteen seasons.
In 2023, some basketball players faced issues that led to changes. The head coach was fired, and some students were removed from the university due to rule violations.
The Women's Equestrian Team was started in 2004. It was ended after the 2016–2017 season due to budget cuts.
Sports Rivalries
NMSU has strong sports rivalries with the University of New Mexico. This rivalry is called the Rio Grande Rivalry (or Battle of I-25). Points are given to the winners of games between the two universities in every sport. A trophy is given to the winning university each year.
The university also has a strong rivalry with the University of Texas at El Paso. This is known as The Battle of I-10. UTEP and NMSU are only about 40 miles apart.
Famous People from NMSU
Alumni
About 120,000 people who went to NMSU are still living. The NMSU Alumni Association is one of the university's oldest groups, started in 1898.
Notable Alumni
- Kevin Johnson: Former president and CEO of Starbucks Corporation.
- Paul Wilbur Klipsch: Founder of Klipsch Audio Technologies, a sound company.
- Alvy Ray Smith: Co-founder of Pixar, the animation studio.
- Kathy Lueders: The first woman to lead NASA's human spaceflight program.
- Jaron Lanier: A computer scientist and writer, known as a founder of virtual reality.
Faculty
- Antonya Nelson: A writer named by The New Yorker as one of the best young fiction writers in America.
- Clyde Tombaugh: An astronomer famous for discovering Pluto.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Estatal de Nuevo México para niños
