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    SAT and ACT in New Mexico

    New Mexico graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 876 on the SAT (100% took it) and 20.9 on the ACT (6% took it). New Mexico has 2 state merit scholarships that can count SAT or ACT scores: New Mexico Competitive Scholarship and New Mexico Scholars Program. The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for New Mexico's class of 2027 is 209. We cover 5 colleges in New Mexico. For fall 2027, 1 requires a score only below a GPA cutoff and 4 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    876
    National Merit cutoff
    209
    state scholarships using scores
    2
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    0

    Average SAT and ACT scores in New Mexico

    From the official reports College Board and ACT publish each fall for the graduating class. Compare states with care: an average depends on how many students take the test.

    SATClass of 2026Graduates who took it24,051Share of the class100%Average876454 Reading and Writing, 422 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class6%Average20.9National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 24,051 New Mexico graduates (100% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 876 (454 in Reading and Writing, 422 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Nearly every New Mexico student takes the SAT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.

    In the class of 2026, 6% of New Mexico graduates took the ACT and averaged 20.9, against 19.2 nationally. Only 6% of New Mexico's class took the ACT, mostly students applying to colleges that ask for it, so the average runs higher than in states where every student tests.

    See where a score stands nationally with the SAT percentile calculator, or what a 900 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

    Sources: College Board, 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report: New Mexico · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    Testing in New Mexico high schools

    Every New Mexico public school junior takes the SAT in school as the state test, and the state pays for the PSAT/NMSQT in 10th grade.

    Source: New Mexico Public Education Department, SAT School Day · Checked October 31, 2026

    New Mexico merit scholarships

    State programs for New Mexico residents that count SAT or ACT scores. Each card shows the score and GPA minimums we track; the program's own page has every rule.

    • New Mexico Competitive Scholarship

      State program · Out-of-state students

      >= $100/semester scholarship plus in-state tuition and fee rates

      • 3.00+ GPA, 1180+ SAT or 26+ ACT, Large university (>150,000 SCH/yr) - GPA 3.0 pathway; U.S. citizen (or institution-approved noncitizen proposal); full-time undergraduate
      • 3.50+ GPA, 1070+ SAT or 23+ ACT, Large university (>150,000 SCH/yr) - GPA 3.5 pathway; U.S. citizen (or institution-approved noncitizen proposal); full-time undergraduate
      • 3.00+ GPA, 1070+ SAT or 23+ ACT, Small university - GPA 3.0 pathway; U.S. citizen (or institution-approved noncitizen proposal); full-time undergraduate
      • 3.50+ GPA, 950+ SAT or 20+ ACT, Small university - GPA 3.5 pathway; U.S. citizen (or institution-approved noncitizen proposal); full-time undergraduate
      Details

    • New Mexico Scholars Program

      State program · In-state students

      Tuition, required fees and books (public); private nonprofit: highest state-institution tuition+fees+books

      • 1140+ SAT or 25+ ACT, Test-score pathway; Combined family income <= $60,000/yr; full-time undergrad; enroll by end of 21st year
      Details

    National Merit in New Mexico

    For the class of 2027, students in New Mexico needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 209 to become National Merit Semifinalists. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.

    Work out your index with the Selection Index calculator, compare states in National Merit cutoffs by state, and see which colleges reward it in colleges with National Merit scholarships.

    Source: NMSC, Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program

    Colleges in New Mexico

    Test policies for fall 2027, and the SAT and ACT scores of the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen. Largest colleges first; each links to its full page.

    University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerqueTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate80%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1170ACT, middle 50%20 to 26
    New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas CrucesTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%870 to 1110ACT, middle 50%17 to 24
    Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortalesTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate92%SAT, middle 50%830 to 1060ACT, middle 50%17 to 23
    New Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologySocorroTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate44%SAT, middle 50%1080 to 1310ACT, middle 50%20 to 29
    St. John's CollegeSanta FeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate53%SAT, middle 50%1290 to 1460ACT, middle 50%28 to 34

    To decide whether to send your score, compare it with each college's range in the submit or retake tool.

    Other states

    See every state, or browse all New Mexico colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in New Mexico

    What is the average SAT score in New Mexico?
    In the class of 2026, 24,051 New Mexico graduates (100% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 876 (454 in Reading and Writing, 422 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Nearly every New Mexico student takes the SAT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.
    What is the average ACT score in New Mexico?
    In the class of 2026, 6% of New Mexico graduates took the ACT and averaged 20.9, against 19.2 nationally. Only 6% of New Mexico's class took the ACT, mostly students applying to colleges that ask for it, so the average runs higher than in states where every student tests.
    Do New Mexico high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Every New Mexico public school junior takes the SAT in school as the state test, and the state pays for the PSAT/NMSQT in 10th grade.
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the New Mexico Competitive Scholarship?

    The New Mexico Competitive Scholarship counts SAT or ACT scores in these 4 ways to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 3.00+ GPA, 1180+ SAT or 26+ ACT, Large university (>150,000 SCH/yr) - GPA 3.0 pathway; U.S. citizen (or institution-approved noncitizen proposal); full-time undergraduate
    • 3.50+ GPA, 1070+ SAT or 23+ ACT, Large university (>150,000 SCH/yr) - GPA 3.5 pathway; U.S. citizen (or institution-approved noncitizen proposal); full-time undergraduate
    • 3.00+ GPA, 1070+ SAT or 23+ ACT, Small university - GPA 3.0 pathway; U.S. citizen (or institution-approved noncitizen proposal); full-time undergraduate
    • 3.50+ GPA, 950+ SAT or 20+ ACT, Small university - GPA 3.5 pathway; U.S. citizen (or institution-approved noncitizen proposal); full-time undergraduate
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the New Mexico Scholars Program?

    The New Mexico Scholars Program counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 1140+ SAT or 25+ ACT, Test-score pathway; Combined family income <= $60,000/yr; full-time undergrad; enroll by end of 21st year
    What is the National Merit cutoff in New Mexico?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 209 or higher made a student in New Mexico a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in New Mexico require the SAT or ACT?
    None of the 5 colleges in New Mexico we cover require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology requires a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff.
    Which colleges in New Mexico have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in New Mexico we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at St. John's College (1290 to 1460), New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (1080 to 1310) and University of New Mexico-Main Campus (920 to 1170).

    Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.