Best Online Colleges in New Mexico for 2023

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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.

New Mexico state map

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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.

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.

What are the Best Online Associate & Community College Programs in New Mexico?

Best Online Associates & Community Colleges In New Mexico badge
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Prospective students seeking a college education may opt to focus on online colleges in New Mexico. This is true for students seeking associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees, though community colleges are likely to offer the most variety for associate and transfer degrees. If students are working or obligated to care for family, a distance education may be the only way to earn the degree they want.

Graduates with an associate degree earn, on average, $52,830, which is much higher for high school graduates, whose average annual salary is $36,100. With our ranking, you can find the least expensive degrees that will offer you the most bang for your buck. Don’t go searching through every community college’s individual websites, check out what’s available in your state right here.

New Mexico State University-Grants
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
622		 Graduation Rate
38%		 Net Price
$6,662		 Grads Salary
$36,700
Central New Mexico Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
21,398		 Graduation Rate
31%		 Net Price
$4,193		 Grads Salary
$34,000
Clovis Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
2,321		 Graduation Rate
43%		 Net Price
$5,735		 Grads Salary
$27,700
New Mexico Junior College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
1,406		 Graduation Rate
29%		 Net Price
$5,225		 Grads Salary
$33,300
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
7,028		 Graduation Rate
14%		 Net Price
$5,869		 Grads Salary
$36,700
San Juan College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
5,240		 Graduation Rate
23%		 Net Price
$6,693		 Grads Salary
$32,300
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
941		 Graduation Rate
16%		 Net Price
$7,841		 Grads Salary
$36,700
New Mexico State University-Carlsbad
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
1,203		 Graduation Rate
14%		 Net Price
$8,337		 Grads Salary
$36,700
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
553		 Graduation Rate
6%		 Net Price
$8,660		 Grads Salary
$29,200

What are the Best Online Universities & College Programs in New Mexico?

Best Online Colleges In New Mexico
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Enrollments in online degrees has only been going up while enrollment in traditional classes has been falling. The total enrollment for distance learners reached 3.85 million, with a huge jump happening over the last few years. Just recently, the percentage of all online students who lived in the state where their school was located was 56.1%.

However, with more and more schools offering online programs, students are spoiled for choice. Our rankings for online universities looked at affordability, academic quality, student satisfaction, and student outcome. With this handy ranking, you won’t have to worry about whether or not you have all pertinent information to make your decision. You’ll have everything you need to make the right choice for you.

New Mexico State University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
14,227		 Graduation Rate
51%		 Net Price
$11,467		 Grads Salary
$70,000
Eastern New Mexico University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
5,266		 Graduation Rate
36%		 Net Price
$9,922		 Grads Salary
$64,000
New Mexico Highlands University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
2,777		 Graduation Rate
29%		 Net Price
$10,863		 Grads Salary
$60,000
Western New Mexico University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
2,896		 Graduation Rate
28%		 Net Price
$13,172		 Grads Salary
$62,000
University of the Southwest
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
904		 Graduation Rate
26%		 Net Price
$17,369		 Grads Salary
$63,000

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