University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs in New Mexico.

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Between October 2021 and March 2022, New Mexico’s labor force maintained a fairly steady employment, with only a few thousand job losses, then there was a jump at the beginning of 2022, which pushed employment from a low of 941,700 to 944,700. And it has continued increasing.

This increase in employment is good news for those who are preparing to graduate within the next couple years or even those looking at starting work on a college degree in the near future. Though we can’t guess at how the economy will continue to contract and expand each year, there are ways to get a feeling for which sectors are most likely to offer the most stable future. For instance, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that there will continue to be unfilled openings for roles in cyber security until at least 2030. If you know what field you are interested in, maybe you should check out the BLS website and see what the future looks like for your chosen career.


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Online Higher Education in New Mexico


New Mexico has enrolled 111,419 students in its colleges for the academic year 2021 to 2022. One breakdown indicates that the state has 97,249 undergraduate students and 14,170 graduate students enrolled altogether.

Students in New Mexico are taking online courses or fully online degrees as well; 47,234 are taking online classes exclusively, while 32,511 are taking only a few online classes for their otherwise in-person degree programs. This is out of the total of 111,409 enrolled at colleges or universities.

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What is the cost of tuition in New Mexico?

The state of New Mexico has 52 universities and colleges which offer undergraduate degree programs. The average cost of in-state tuition for students who have been admitted to colleges and universities in New Mexico is $3,423, while out-of-state students pay closer to $7,193. Tuition and fees charged by four-year colleges and universities in New Mexico has gone up by 1.59% since 2021.

What does “costs of attendance” mean and how does this affect me?

The cost of attendance refers to the total cost that a student or their family will need to pay. This includes tuition, books, supplies, fees, room and board, and any other living expenses. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same amount for books and supplies ($2,150) and they pay the same for room and board ($12,805).

Will I pay more for tuition at a New Mexico private college or a public university?

Students enrolled in public universities and colleges generally pay less for their educations than students in private colleges. For example, students at Brookline College-Albuquerque, a private school, pay $85,900. At New Mexico State’s main campus, part of the public university system, they pay $23,767.

Our School Rankings Methodology


Organizations which rank colleges and universities look for the most recent numbers on which students and their families can rely. Students need a quality education, and they need to know where their education can be most affordable while providing them with the quality and features they are looking for. Students planning on distance learning may have chosen this option so that they are better able to obtain an affordable education.

Data is collected from a variety of government and school-specific websites. These include sources which aggregate and present complete data from every college and university in the country. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers data on specific professions and industries.

The factors used in ranking include the admission rate, retention rate, and graduation rate. Each offers a picture of how universities are doing in retaining student’s and making sure that their gradation happens within a normal time frame, as well as a school’s competitiveness.

Top 5 Best Online Associate & Community Colleges in New Mexico


1

New Mexico Junior College

Score: 87.91

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,920
    • Out-of-State:$2,280
  • Net Price: $5,964
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 55%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,228
  • Undergrad Students: 2,228
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,500
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • New Mexico Junior College
2

San Juan College

Score: 83.72

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,790
    • Out-of-State:$4,985
  • Net Price: $4,378
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 69%
  • Graduation Rate: 23%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,454
  • Undergrad Students: 5,454
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,700
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • San Juan College
3

Central New Mexico Community College

Score: 80.93

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,934
    • Out-of-State:$8,366
  • Net Price: $4,742
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 28%
  • Total Enrollment: 19,095
  • Undergrad Students: 19,095
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,100
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Central New Mexico Community College
4

Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College

Score: 77.94

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,804
    • Out-of-State:$2,644
  • Net Price: $5,278
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 54%
  • Graduation Rate: 17%
  • Total Enrollment: 691
  • Undergrad Students: 691
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $38,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College
5

Clovis Community College-New Mexico

Score: 77.73

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,334
    • Out-of-State:$9,454
  • Net Price: $5,005
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,772
  • Undergrad Students: 7,772
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $29,900
  • Student-to-faculty: 27:1
  • Clovis Community College-New Mexico

Top 5 Best Online Colleges in New Mexico


1
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,147
    • Out-of-State:$25,271
  • Net Price: $10,407
  • Acceptance Rate: 78%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 51%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,268
  • Undergrad Students: 11,591
  • Graduate Students: 2,677
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • New Mexico State University
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2
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,863
    • Out-of-State:$8,843
  • Net Price: $8,702
  • Acceptance Rate: 28%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 41%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,106
  • Undergrad Students: 3,833
  • Graduate Students: 1,273
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Eastern New Mexico University
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3
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,868
    • Out-of-State:$14,354
  • Net Price: $10,676
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 31%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,378
  • Undergrad Students: 2,377
  • Graduate Students: 1,001
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Western New Mexico University
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4

University of the SouthWest

Score: 56.92

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $16,670
    • Out-of-State:$16,670
  • Net Price: $20,533
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 27%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,066
  • Undergrad Students: 369
  • Graduate Students: 697
  • Grads Salary: $64,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • University of the SouthWest
5
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,260
    • Out-of-State:$12,180
  • Net Price: $10,852
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 25%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,677
  • Undergrad Students: 1,625
  • Graduate Students: 1,052
  • Grads Salary: N/A
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • New Mexico Highlands University
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