20 colleges · federal data
Colleges in New Mexico
New Mexico has 20 colleges in our data: 10 four-year colleges (7 public) and 10 two-year colleges. The median four-year college costs $17,932 a year after grants and graduates 44% of its students.
Best colleges in New Mexico by outcomes
Four-year colleges in New Mexico with the highest outcome score, which blends graduation rate (45%), earnings 10 years after entry (35%) and net price (20%).
| # | College | Outcome score | Graduation rate | Earnings after 10 yrs | Avg net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM | 45 | 54% | $43,922 | $6,313 |
| 2 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM | 41 | 54% | $50,072 | $19,966 |
| 3 | Western New Mexico UniversitySilver City, NM | 35 | 44% | $41,452 | $6,328 |
| 4 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales, NM | 33 | 39% | $44,198 | $5,238 |
| 5 | New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas, NM | 23 | 30% | $48,104 | $18,315 |
Cheapest 4-year colleges
Lowest average net price, graduation cohort of 50+
- Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus$5,238 net · 39% grad
- New Mexico State University-Main Campus$6,313 net · 54% grad
- Western New Mexico University$6,328 net · 44% grad
- Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development$11,199 net · 18% grad
- University of the Southwest$17,550 net · 19% grad
Hardest to get into
Lowest acceptance rates
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology45% admitted · $20,862 net
- New Mexico State University-Main Campus89% admitted · $6,313 net
- Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus92% admitted · $5,238 net
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus95% admitted · $19,966 net
Easiest to get into
Highest acceptance rates with a 50%+ graduation rate
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus95% admitted · 54% grad
- New Mexico State University-Main Campus89% admitted · 54% grad
- St. John's College53% admitted · 70% grad
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology45% admitted · 55% grad
Highest earnings
Median earnings 10 years after entry
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology$71,723 earnings · $20,862 net
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus$50,072 earnings · $19,966 net
- New Mexico Highlands University$48,104 earnings · $18,315 net
- Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus$44,198 earnings · $5,238 net
- New Mexico State University-Main Campus$43,922 earnings · $6,313 net
All 10 four-year colleges in New Mexico
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| College | Type | Undergrads | Acceptance rate | Avg net price | Graduation rate | Earnings after 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline College-AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque, NM | Private for-profit 4-year | 542 | Open | $35,895 | 44% | $37,804 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales, NM | Public 4-year | 3,357 | 92% | $5,238 | 39% | $44,198 |
| Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts DevelopmentSanta Fe, NM | Public 4-year | 334 | 98% | $11,199 | 18% | $26,385 |
| New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas, NM | Public 4-year | 1,451 | Open | $18,315 | 30% | $48,104 |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologySocorro, NM | Public 4-year | 995 | 45% | $20,862 | 55% | $71,723 |
| New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM | Public 4-year | 11,946 | 89% | $6,313 | 54% | $43,922 |
| St. John's CollegeSanta Fe, NM | Private nonprofit 4-year | 368 | 53% | $22,480 | 70% | $45,537 |
| University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM | Public 4-year | 17,244 | 95% | $19,966 | 54% | $50,072 |
| University of the SouthwestHobbs, NM | Private nonprofit 4-year | 346 | Open | $17,550 | 19% | $47,669 |
| Western New Mexico UniversitySilver City, NM | Public 4-year | 2,026 | Open | $6,328 | 44% | $41,452 |
Community and two-year colleges in New Mexico
Highest outcome scores: New Mexico Military Institute (82), New Mexico Junior College (65), University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus (46), University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus (45), New Mexico State University-Alamogordo (40).
| College | Type | Undergrads | Avg net price | Graduation rate | Earnings after 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Junior CollegeHobbs, NM | Public 2-year | 2,175 | $5,665 | 47% | $44,265 |
| New Mexico Military InstituteRoswell, NM | Public 2-year | 331 | $3,981 | 46% | $58,629 |
| New Mexico State University-AlamogordoAlamogordo, NM | Public 2-year | 591 | $5,370 | 27% | $43,922 |
| New Mexico State University-Dona AnaLas Cruces, NM | Public 2-year | 5,177 | $1,844 | 17% | $43,922 |
| Northern New Mexico CollegeEspanola, NM | Public 2-year | 926 | $3,919 | 17% | $43,665 |
| Southeast New Mexico CollegeCarlsbad, NM | Public 2-year | 469 | $6,480 | 20% | n/a |
| Southwestern Indian Polytechnic InstituteAlbuquerque, NM | Public 2-year | 215 | $6,961 | 11% | $32,730 |
| University of New Mexico-Gallup CampusGallup, NM | Public 2-year | 808 | $5,766 | 21% | $50,072 |
| University of New Mexico-Los Alamos CampusLos Alamos, NM | Public 2-year | 218 | $9,471 | 17% | $50,072 |
| University of New Mexico-Valencia County CampusLos Lunas, NM | Public 2-year | 525 | $3,778 | 13% | $50,072 |
Trade schools in New Mexico
New Mexico also has 18 trade schools. Compare them, and programs like welding, HVAC and nursing, on the trade schools in New Mexico page.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges are in New Mexico?
New Mexico has 20 colleges that mostly award associate or bachelor's degrees: 10 four-year and 10 two-year schools.
What is the best college in New Mexico?
By our outcome score, which combines graduation rate, earnings and net price, New Mexico State University-Main Campus ranks first among four-year colleges in New Mexico, with a score of 45. The best college for you depends on cost, fit and what you want to study.
What is the cheapest 4-year college in New Mexico?
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus has the lowest average net price among four-year colleges in New Mexico with a graduation cohort of at least 50 students: $5,238 a year after grants.
What is the hardest college to get into in New Mexico?
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, which admitted 45% of applicants for fall 2024.
How much is in-state tuition in New Mexico?
The median in-state tuition and fees at public four-year colleges in New Mexico is $7,891 for 2025-26. Housing, food and books add to that, so check each school's net price.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.