Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Los Alamos, New Mexico
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$15,550Annual Cost
$44,792Grad Salary
6%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$10,050
Need-Based Aid
6% receive Pell
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus, founded in 1980, has evolved into a comprehensive branch campus serving northern New Mexico's educational needs from its 50-acre location. The campus features state-of-the-art STEM labs benefiting from proximity to Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), including a $3.5 million Science and Engineering Building with clean rooms and advanced computing facilities. UNM-LA specializes in nuclear science, cybersecurity, and pre-engineering programs, offering unique courses in Hazardous Materials Management developed through LANL partnerships. The campus includes a public library shared with the community and outdoor learning spaces in the surrounding Jemez Mountains.
Though unranked separately from UNM's main campus, UNM-LA plays a critical role in the region's educational pipeline, serving about 1,200 students annually with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The college boasts a 100% job placement rate for its Radiation Protection graduates and maintains robust transfer pathways to UNM's engineering schools. Unique opportunities include undergraduate research positions at LANL and the nearby Valles Caldera National Preserve. The high-altitude location at 7,300 feet provides exceptional environmental science research opportunities in this small mountain community.
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UNM - Los Alamos reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at UNM - Los Alamos
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus (UNM - Los Alamos) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UNM - Los Alamos — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UNM - Los Alamos Without SAT or ACT?
UNM - Los Alamos's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UNM - Los Alamos
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
UNM - Los Alamos's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Treat this as a placement decision, not an admission fight
UNM-Los Alamos has open admission for New Mexico residents and most applicants - the real decision point is course placement, not getting a "yes." Focus your prep time on placement testing (math especially) rather than an application essay, since none is required.
Use it as a deliberate bridge to the flagship
This branch campus exists to funnel students into bachelor's completion at UNM's main Albuquerque campus or via UNM Online. If a four-year degree is the real goal, ask an advisor to map your two-year Los Alamos coursework directly against a specific bachelor's program before you enroll, so credits transfer cleanly.
Lean into the local science-and-tech ecosystem
Los Alamos is a company town built around Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the campus's applied programs (Computer Systems Networking, Nursing, Criminal Justice) reflect that. If you want a lab-adjacent internship or dual-credit pathway, ask admissions about relationships with LANL-connected programs specifically - this is a resource peer community colleges elsewhere don't have.
Get the $10 application in early for financial aid sequencing
The application fee is nominal and open admission removes the anxiety, but FAFSA and New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship timing still matters - file FAFSA as soon as it opens so aid is in place before the low-stress admission process even finishes.
Expert Insight:
Because admission itself is nearly automatic, some students under-prepare for placement exams and get routed into remedial coursework that delays transfer - take placement testing seriously even though the admission bar is low.
UNM - Los Alamos Profile
Full Name
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus (UNM - Los Alamos)
City
Los Alamos
State
New Mexico
ZIP Code
87544
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a UNM - Los Alamos Degree Worth It?
Whether UNM - Los Alamos is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $49,500, and graduates see a 4.99% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UNM - Los Alamos Cost?
Listed tuition runs $15,550/year at UNM - Los Alamos; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $10,050.
At UNM - Los Alamos, 6% receive a Pell Grant and 1.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UNM - Los Alamos on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UNM - Los Alamos Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UNM - Los Alamos graduates report a median income of $44,792, about 10% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at UNM - Los Alamos
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UNM - Los Alamos Admissions
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates earn a lower median salary of $44,792/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus is relatively affordable, around $15,550/year.
Pell Grant data isn't published for University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus. Contact the financial aid office directly about need- and merit-based options.
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus charges an application fee of 25; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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