NMSU Tuition & Fees
Rates described as “Tuition” at New Mexico State University are comprised of both tuition and required student fees.
Required fees support facilities and services provided to students and are reviewed annually by the Student Fee Review Board, which is made up of student, faculty and staff representatives, and approved annually by the NMSU Board of Regents. The required fees support programs such as Peer Counseling, campus tutoring, information technology, campus transit and other ASNMSU sponsored activities as well as the operations of student related functions. Payment of these fees by full-time students allows use of facilities or attendance at events at a free or reduced cost.
Fees that are not “required fees” are items such as parking permits, meal/housing fees, damage deposits or fines and specific lab/course fees. Copies of the NMSU Annual Budget Reports are available at
Master of Public Administration Estimated Program Cost
| Student Status | Cost (for 42 credits) Based on Fall 2022 Rates | Fees (estimated for 5 semesters) | Total Cost of Attendance |
| Resident | $12,087.60 | $2,352.00 | $14,439.60 |
| Non-resident | $38,098.20 | $2,352.00 | $40,450.20 |
| Non-resident
(135 miles) |
$15,109.50 | $2,352.00 | $17,461.50 |
Financial Aid & Assistance Options
The Department of Government has a range of financial options to support MPA students. Although not required, students interested in financial assistance may want to consider taking the Graduate Record (GRE) in the fall or winter prior to the year they wish to receive aid. Award decisions are normally made in the spring and early summer for the subsequent year. Depending upon the type of financial assistance awarded, funding will begin in the summer or fall. Mid-year funding is sometimes possible but cannot be guaranteed.
The following types of aid are available through the MPA Program:
Graduate Assistantship. Stipends vary each semester and every effort is made to offer at least ¾ assistantship (15 hour work week). Students work under the direction of Government faculty, performing teaching and research related activities. Assistants pay their own tuition and fees; however, out-of-state students qualify for in-state tuition rates. Students applying to one of the joint degree programs may also be eligible for an assistantship in the other department. An application is required to be considered for an assistantship.
Minority Graduate Assistantship. This program is designed to assist minorities and is administrated by the Graduate School. Nominations are solicited from graduate programs across campus and MPA students have a high success rate in securing such positions. Awardees receive a full assistantship and out-of-state tuition waiver. Students work under the supervision of a faculty member from the nominating program.
Paid Internship. Paid part-time positions are arranged under contracts with agencies in the immediate area. Students work from 15 to 20 hours per week for varying lengths of time, depending on the nature of the project. Tuition and fees are not covered, and no out-of-state tuition waiver is available. Normally, priority is given to second year students. Internship credits may be arranged.
Roque M. Lujan Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded annually to a current or incoming graduate student in the Department of Government. Recipients should have a demonstrated commitment to public service, with preference given to Hispanic women who are natives of Dona Ana County, New Mexico.
Information on student loans, state and federal work study programs, and other type of financial assistance may be obtained from:
Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
PO Box 5100
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
(575) 646-4105
You can also visit the office’s web site at http://fa.nmsu.edu.
