.jpg "Best Colleges in New Mexico (2023 Rankings)")
Trying to pick a college or university to go to when you're in high school isn't always easy. Yes, of course, academics matter when it comes to your higher education. We know you want to go to a great school. But let's get real: There's more to the perfect school than academic reputation!
You also want to consider the programs offered, student body statistics, and activities available, to name just a few things. After all, it's not like you're going to spend all your time studying, right?! Location is another factor. If you hate the cold, studying in Canada may not be for you!
If you're interested in going to school in New Mexico, you've got a lot of awesome options. The state is home to private and public institutions, plus some more affordable community colleges. The TL;DR: There's a school for every academic interest and every budget. Below, in no particular order, we highlight some of the most popular options.
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico has roots dating way back to 1889, making it THE flagship institution of the state. With the main campus in Albuquerque, UNM gives students access to a metropolitan area of nearly one million people. You'll have all kinds of natural sights at your fingertips, from the Sandia Mountains to the Rio Grande.
Some top-tier programs here include nuclear engineering and photography. If you're stressed about paying for school, you'll also be relieved to hear that a majority of students get financial aid.
- Undergraduate enrollment: 16,209 students
- Acceptance rate: 96%
- Six-year graduation rate: 54%
- Tuition and fees: $8,161 (in-state) or $24,499 (out-of-state)
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales offers more than 60 majors and degree programs. They also pride themselves on offering an affordable education, costing less than most four-year universities in the southwestern U.S. (even for out-of-state students).
It might be cheap, but you'll still get an awesome education with a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Most importantly, students at ENMU seem to love it: they report a 97% satisfaction rate!
- Undergraduate enrollment: 3,927 students
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Tuition and fees: $6,648 (in-state) or $8,688 (out-of-state)
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University in Las Cruces embraces diversity, being both a hispanic-serving institution (HSI) and a minority-serving institution (MSI). NMSU is also the first honors college in the state of New Mexico and offers some impressive programs-notably, this is a NASA Space Grant College.
Space Grant is a network of colleges and universities that seeks to expand America's participation in NASA's projects. We're not saying you'll become an astronaut if you come here but… Nothing's impossible, right?!
- Undergraduate enrollment: 11,575 students
- Acceptance rate: 63%
- Six-year graduation rate: 51%
- Tuition and fees: $7,301(in-state) or $23,767 (out-of-state)
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
If STEM is your thing, this is the school for you. This is one of the top public universities in the state and it is known for its programs in engineering, physics, and math.
And here's a fun fact: New Mexico Tech in Socorro is test-optional for admissions consideration if you have a GPA of 3.3 or higher. Uh, no SAT or ACT to take? Sounds like it's time to get that high school GPA up!
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,229 students
- Acceptance rate: 97%
- Six-year graduation rate: 54%
- Tuition and fees: $8,361 (in-state) or $24,190 (out-of-state)
Central New Mexico Community College
A community college can be the perfect way to get a practical degree that prepares you for the working world. Located in Albuquerque, CNM offers a comprehensive course catalog covering everything from hospitality to health and nursing.
This public college also welcomes adult learners through their Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses. This school is dedicated to getting students into the workforce, with direct connections to industry representatives, government agencies, and other employers in the area.
- Undergraduate enrollment: 21,398 students
- Acceptance rate: Open admissions
- Tuition and fees: $1,650 (in-state) or $7,410 (out-of-state)
New Mexico Highlands University
Did you know that there's also a Las Vegas... in New Mexico? NMHU may be in Vegas but it's a far cry from Sin City. This small public university is located on a rural campus but also has satellite campuses in Roswell, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Ramington.
There's also plenty of undergraduate and graduate degree options to pursue, including online options.
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,699 students
- Acceptance rate: Open admissions
- Tuition and fees: $6,558(in-state) or $10,998 (out-of-state)
Northern New Mexico College
Northern New Mexico College in Espanola was founded in 1909, then called the Spanish American Normal School. Today, it primarily serves rural communities in the surrounding area, including a number of Native American Pueblos.
The school offers more than 50 bachelor's degrees as well as associate's and certificate programs. The college is made up of two schools, one for STEM and one for liberal arts.
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,234 students
- Acceptance rate: Open admissions
- Tuition and fees: $4,952 (in-state) or $13,676 (out-of-state)
St. John's College
St. John's College is set in pretty Santa Fe, at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. If you're into outdoor activities, you'll feel right at home here - there are hiking trails just steps away from the campus.
The city is also home to galleries, restaurants, museums, and more. Long story short: You'll find plenty to do when you aren't studying.
- Undergraduate enrollment: 268 students
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Six-year graduation rate: 73%
- Tuition and fees: $35,760 (in-state and out-of-state)
University of the Southwest
The University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, New Mexico. The school offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate programs. Undergraduate majors range from biology to Christian Studies, Finance, and Education.
This is a private school, so in-state and out-of-state tuition cost the same. The school also offers an athletics program, which you can petition to join by completing the prospective athlete's form. Basketball, soccer, softball, golf, and cross country are just a handful of options available.
- Undergraduate enrollment: 370 students
- Tuition and fees: $16,200 (in-state and out-of-state)
Western New Mexico University
Located in Silver City, Western New Mexico University has roots dating back to 1893. They are a designated hispanic-serving institution, with more than 50% of undergrads being hispanic.
Class sizes are small, not exceeding 18 people on average. Despite the small size, there is plenty of diversity here, with 18 countries represented in the student body. One program in particular that stands out in the rankings is its online MBA.
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,874 students
- Tuition and fees: $6,574 (in-state) or $13,557 (out-of-state)
Navigate New Mexico's academic landscape with College Rover
A look at the list above makes it clear: There's no shortage of higher education options in New Mexico. In fact, there are so many options, you might find it overwhelming! College Rover can help. Whether you're looking for a bachelor's degree program or are curious about on-campus master's degrees, you can scope out the possibilities with our school comparison tool.
We also give you some tips and tools to make the admissions process a breeze. From crafting the perfect essay to knowing what to ask on college tours, our resources have you covered. Sign up for College Rover to get started browsing the best colleges in New Mexico - and beyond - now.
College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.
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