Best Universities & Colleges in New Mexico for 2024

These are the 8 top schools, both online and traditional, located in the state of New Mexico. Scroll through the list below and get all the information you need about each institution.

Online Colleges in New Mexico

Compare all of the best distance education colleges located in New Mexico to pursue an online bachelors degree, associates, or online masters program degree. Including cost of tuition, degrees they offer, enrollment rates, faculty, famous alumni, and more.

Recommended Schools

  • Eastern New Mexico University Seal

    Eastern New Mexico University

    Portales, New Mexico

    Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico
    • 5,725 Total Students
    • 50% Acceptance Rate
    • 52% Enrollment Rate
    • 19 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 2,382 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    ENMU is a public university that goes back to 1927 when it was first approved to be established as a normal school however due to economic difficulties and with the coming of Great Depression, the college faced delay until in 1934 when it began as Eastern New Mexico Junior College. By 1940 expansion had begun to take place with the college curriculum and as it progressed towards four year education, it transformed into a college.

    With addition of graduate programs, the college was approved as a university and so adopted its present name. It is based in Portales in New Mexico, and aims to bring a rich educational experience for intellectual growth, acceptance of diverse perspective abs critical thinking skills.

    The campus life at Eastern New Mexico University is dominated with opportunities for learning and growth. The campus has over 50 registered student organisations, offering wide span of disciplines and interest, along with Greek societies. Further engagement and learning opportunities exist through Students Government Association working as bridge between students and administration, and the Activities Board organising programs. These two offer first hand leadership experience. Leadership skills are further endorsed through formal education and events in the form of lecture series, council meetings, or leadership awards. There is also huge emphasis on multicultural activities as the university aims to create an inclusive campus life. The university also has its unique traditions celebrated annually such as Homecoming, Green Friday (weekly event) and sponsoring Lil’ Hound Pound. ENMU has also adopted two former racing Greyhounds which attend campus events. The university has its athletic teams participating at the NCAA Division II, with campus colors Silver and Green.

    As for the academic programs being offered, these include undergraduate programs with more than 50 majors, 24 Masters degree programs and three certificate programs. Its notable facilities are Jack Williamson Liberal Arts Building, Roosevelt County Museum, Dr. Antonio (Tony) Gennaro Natural History Museum, Miles Mineral Museum, Golden Library and others.

    ENMU School Facts

    • LocationNew Mexico
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous ENMU Alumni

    • Daryush Shokof

      Entertainment & Arts

      Founder of the movement maximalism in the arts in 1990 in Germany

    • Gerald Dockery

      Professional Sports

      Former American football wide receiver

    • Steven Michael Quezada

      Entertainment & Arts

      American actor

    • Katherine Dávalos Ortega

      Politics & Law

      38th Treasurer of the United States

    • Diana Lynn Ossana

      Entertainment & Arts

      American writer; screenplays, teleplays, and novels

    • Clyde Snow

      Science & Medicine

      Forensic anthropologist


  • Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture

    Santa Fe, New Mexico

    Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico
    • 493 Total Students
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • 54% Enrollment Rate
    • 7 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 128 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    The Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture, currently known as the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is a higher educational institute delivering Native American art located in Santa Fe City in New Mexico State. IAIA is one among 37 tribal educational institutes that are located in the United States. It was founded as a high school in Santa Fe location in 1962 during the era of John Kennedy presidency. The school was transformed into a two-year college in 1975 to award associate degrees in arts. It moved its museum to Santa Fe in 1992. Then IAIA moved its campus to its current location occupying around 140 acres land in 2000 to expand and offer four-year baccalaureate degrees in arts and liberal studies. In 2010, IAIA added more 60,000 ft2 land to its campus to establish its Lifelong Education Conference Center. In 2013, IAIA inaugurated its first graduate program in Creative Writing.

    IAIA mission is to promote collaboration, creativity, excellence, integrity and respect among its students to fulfil their emotional, social and intellectual needs through offering them cultural-based academic programs. IAIA aims at preparing successful leaders under the guidance of devoted academic staff and faculty.

    IAIA campus comprises the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, formerly known as the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum. It is the sole museum that is directed towards contemporary intertribal Native American art. The museum is located in the historic Santa Fe Federal Building, the former post office building and one of the national historic places. It encloses more than 7000 contemporary Indian art pieces. Other distinctive buildings on campus include Hogan and Cultural Center, Lloyd Kiva New Welcome Center, Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery, Allan Houser Haozous Sculpture and Foundry Building and Barbara and Robert Ells Science and Technology Building. The official colors for the university are silver and turquoise while its mascot is called the Thunderbird.

    IAIA offers two-year associate degrees and four-year bachelor degrees in 5 different majors. It also offers a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. In addition, IAIA 3 certificate programs that could be attended also through an online system.

    IAIA School Facts

    • LocationNew Mexico
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous IAIA Alumni

    • James Thomas Stevens

      Entertainment & Arts

      An American poet and professor. A current professor at the Institute of American Indian Arts and a member of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation.

    • Charlene Teters

      Entertainment & Arts

      An American artist and lecturer of fine arts, commonly known by her Spokane name “Slum Tah”. Famous of her featured paintings in more than 21 exhibitions.

    • Kevin Locke

      Entertainment & Arts

      An American musician, recording artist, flute player and educator. Famous of his hoop dance “The Hoop Life”.

    • Joy Harjo

      Entertainment & Arts

      An American author, musician, poet and writer. Author of some famous books such as Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings in 2015 and Crazy Brave in 2012.

    • Bunky Echo–Hawk

      Entertainment & Arts

      An American artist and poet. Famous of his acrylic paintings presenting Native American and hip-hop cultures.


  • Navajo Technical University Seal

    Navajo Technical University

    Crownpoint, New Mexico

    • 1,686 Total Students
    • 12 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • Yes Online Programs

    Navajo Technical University (NTU) is a tribally controlled higher education institute providing postsecondary career and technical education. The institute was established in 1979 following a charter by the Navajo Nation. It initially aimed at providing better chances for the unemployed population and was originally named the Navajo Skill Center. In 1985, the name of the institute was changed to Crownpoint Institute of Technology to indicate the expansion of its mission and programs. The institute was recognized 9 years later as a land grant college. The name of the institute was changed again in 2006 to Navajo Technical College before finally gaining the current name 7 years later. The university does not have official accreditation from the higher learning commission; however, it is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium which supports tribally and federally chartered institutes.

    The university offers academic programs in 13 fields of study granting associate, bachelor and master’s degrees in addition to non-degree certificate programs.

    NTU School Facts

    • Years Estd.1979 (1979)
    • LocationNew Mexico
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

  • New Mexico Highlands University Seal

    New Mexico Highlands University

    Las Vegas, New Mexico

    New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico
    • 3,499 Total Students
    • 14 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • Yes Online Programs

    New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) is a public higher education institute located in Las Vegas, New Mexico. It was founded in 1893 under the name of New Mexico Normal School. The name of the institute was changed again in 1902 to New Mexico Normal University then the name was changed in 1941 to New Mexico Highlands University to indicate the expansion of the offered programs beyond teaching education. In 1997, the university started off-campus center for extended learning in Rio Rancho. It offers several graduate and undergraduate courses in various fields. Later, several other centers were established in Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Farmington.

    The university has a suburban campus that offers several distinctive buildings and facilities including Sala de Madrid, Douglas Hall, Hewett Hall, Felix Martinez Center Building, Rodgers Administration Building, Burris Hall, Lora M. Shields, Ivan Hilton Science Tech Building, Archuleta Hall, Connor Hall, Viles & Crimmin Hall and Arrott House. The university athletic teams, who are nicknamed Cowboys and Cowgirls, compete in the NCAA’s Division II as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The official colors of the university are purple and white. Several movies have been filmed on campus including “Red Dawn” and “Vampires”.

    The university offers 56 undergraduate degree programs and 28 graduate degree programs. The university also offers 5 online degree programs in addition to 4 certificate non-degree program. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in addition to accreditation provided by other entities for specific programs. The university offers several scholarships to the students in addition to the possibility of applying to financial aid programs.

    NMHU School Facts

    • Years Estd.1893
    • NicknameCowboys & Cowgirls
    • MottoArtes, Scientiae, Humanitates
    • ColorsPurple & White
    • LocationNew Mexico
    • AthleticsNCAA Division II – Rocky Mountain
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous NMHU Alumni

    • David James Baker

      Entertainment & Arts

      filmmaker and media producer

    • Bill Dinwiddie

      Professional Sports

      NBA player

    • Keith Jardine

      Professional Sports

      former mixed martial artist

    • Nathan Macias

      Politics & Law

      Texas politician and former lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force

    • Eddie Guerrero

      Professional Sports

      former WWE wrestler


  • New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Seal

    New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

    Socorro, New Mexico

    New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, New Mexico
    • 2,150 Total Students
    • 24% Acceptance Rate
    • 85% Enrollment Rate
    • 12 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 1,628 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) is a public higher education institute located in Socorro, New Mexico. It was established in 1889 by the New Mexico Territorial Legislature with the aim of supporting the local economy and providing college education specialized in mining. In the 1930s, the college started also offering programs in petroleum technology and engineering. It started offering graduate degree programs in 1946 gaining its current name 5 years later; however, this name was legally approved only in 1960 through an amendment of the New Mexico State Constitution. In 2003, the institute purchased the company town, Playas, to use it as a research and training facility. The college has achieved several high rankings as it was ranked 12th among America’s Best Value Colleges in 2010 by the Princeton Review and was ranked as ” Best Engineering College for the Money” in 2017 by College Factual. The institute has appeared in episodes shown by several channels including BBC Horizon, National Geographic Explorer, MythBusters, and Nova. New Mexico Tech is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education which opens more chances to scholarships for its students.

    New Mexico Tech has a rural campus covering 320 acres. It offers several distinctive buildings and facilities including Altamirano Apartments, Baca Hall, Brown Hall, Cramer Hall, Desert Willow Apartments, Driscoll Hall, Fidel Center and Jones Hall.

    The institute is divided into 17 academic departments offering 21 bachelor degree programs, an associate degree program, 16 master’s degree programs, 13 doctoral degree programs in addition to 3 certificate programs. There are 9 research centers affiliated to the institute including Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, and National Cave and Karst Research Institute. New Mexico Tech is by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

    New Mexico Tech School Facts

    • Years Estd.1889
    • LocationNew Mexico
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous New Mexico Tech Alumni

    • Lukas Lundin

      Business & Industry

      Swedish-Canadian billionaire businessman

    • Conrad Hilton

      Business & Industry

      founder of the Hilton Hotels chain


  • New Mexico State University Seal

    New Mexico State University

    Las Cruces, New Mexico

    New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico
    • 15,490 Total Students
    • 66% Acceptance Rate
    • 41% Enrollment Rate
    • 16 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 7,427 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a land grant public research institute. The university was established in 1888 by Hiram Hadley making it the first higher education institute to be established in New Mexico State. The first class included 35 students and 6 staff members. The university was initially named “Las Cruces College” focusing on agriculture education. The name of the college was changed in 1890 after a merge with another college to become “New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts”. In 1891, the college opened its first building on campus, McFie Hall, which was later known as Old Main. Two years later, the college witnessed a tragic incident by the murder of Sam Steel who was expected to be the first graduate of the college. In 1910, McFie Hall was completely destroyed by fire keeping its remains till in the center of Pride Field on the University Horseshoe. New Mexico State finally achieved the university state and got its current name in 1960 through a state constitutional amendment.

    The university main campus is located in Las Cruces city, New Mexico covering 900 acres surrounded by deserts and greenhouses. It offers several distinctive facilities including the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, NMSU Golf Course, the Fabian Garcia Science Center, algal biofuels research equipment, grape vineyards and gazebos, and fields and greenhouses for plant research projects. The campus is served by two main libraries, Branson Hall Library and Zuhl Library, which host together more than 1 million volumes. The university also operates the Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center which is located 6 miles away from the main campus. Moreover, the university has five branch campuses in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Grants, Doña Ana County, and Las Cruces in addition to 13 research centers.

    New Mexico State is divided into 7 colleges including an honors college. It offers around 100 undergraduate programs and 80 graduate programs.

    NMSU School Facts

    • Years Estd.1888
    • NicknameAggies
    • MascotPistol Pete
    • ColorsCrimson and White
    • LocationNew Mexico
    • AthleticsNCAA Division I – WAC, Sun Belt (football)
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous NMSU Alumni

    • Bill Inmon

      Science & Medicine

      computer scientist, recognized as the inventor of data warehouse

    • Nasser al-Aulaqi

      Politics & Law

      Yemeni Agriculture Minister and president of Sanaa University

    • Roosevelt Skerrit

      Politics & Law

      Prime Minister of Dominica

    • Kevin Johnson

      Business & Industry

      CEO of Starbucks Corporation

    • Alvy Ray Smith

      Business & Industry

      co-founder of Pixar


  • Northern New Mexico College Seal

    Northern New Mexico College

    Espanola, New Mexico

    Northern New Mexico College in Espanola, New Mexico
    • 923 Total Students
    • 10 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • Yes Online Programs

    Northern New Mexico College is a public college located in Española, New Mexico. It was established in 1909 under the name of the Spanish American Normal School with the aim of training teachers for the Spanish speakers. The school was the first institute to be established to serve Hispanic people in the United States. In 1971, the college established its Española campus. It then became the first community college in the state by expanding its programs to include technical vocational programs. In 2004, the college got approval to offer its first baccalaureate program. In the following year, the college was converted from a two year college to a four year college.

    Currently, Española campus is the main campus for the college which covers 200 acres. It offers several distinctive buildings including Johnson Controls / Sostenga Center and Ben Lujan Library. The college athletic teams, which were formed in 2005, compete in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The official colors of the college are dark blue, rust and white while mascot is the Eagle.

    Northern New Mexico is divided into 5 colleges offering 8 bachelor degree programs in addition to 35 associate and certificate programs. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in addition to accreditation from another 5 entities for specific programs.

    Northern New Mexico School Facts

    • Years Estd.1909
    • MascotEagle
    • ColorsNavy Blue Orange White
    • LocationNew Mexico
    • AthleticsNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

  • Western New Mexico University Seal

    Western New Mexico University

    Silver City, New Mexico

    Western New Mexico University in Silver City, New Mexico
    • 3,354 Total Students
    • 16 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • Yes Online Programs

    WNMU is a private higher education institute that was established through the Act of Legislature of the then Territory of New Mexico. It was in 1893 that it came into effect and began classes the next year. Over its entire course, it progressed little by little, transitioning into a college, expanding its academics and eventually blooming into the university it is today.

    It is located in Silver City, New Mexico and to this day continues with the tradition of serving to its peoples growing needs, through distinguished education, opportunities and resources. It prides itself for holding the largest permanent collection of Mimbres Pottery in the world.

    At Western New Mexico University, the campus life is a mix of study and play. Students find plenty of opportunities through the existing student organizations or register new ones, to develop their interest and meet new people. They can also become part of the Student Government which provides a platform for those interested in learning leadership and service work. Similarly, the program called ‘Mustang Care’ which encourages its students to volunteer their time and efforts for the off-campus communities as well. The campus at WNMU is also a place where culture and entertainment thrive; students support and organize activities, enjoy multicultural events, watch movies at the campus Movie Theatre or hit ‘The Life Lounge’ to spend some time with their friends. Some of the student-created events include King of the Mountain, Powder Puff, Spartan Race, Who’s got the Speed, the Great Race (continuing since 1967) and many more. For the more active ones, the campus is also well equipped with recreational and fitness facilities, while also offering Outdoor Programs and adventures. The students also enjoy taking part in sports and intramurals. There are also the campus athletic teams called ‘Mustangs’ which play at NCAA Division II. The campus mascot is called ‘Rawhide’ and the official campus colors are Royal Purple and Gold.

    The academic programs at the university are 60+ undergraduate majors and minors, 10 graduates and 25+ Associate and Certificate programs. Its notable facility is the J. Cloyd Miller Library.

    WNMU School Facts

    • Years Estd.1893
    • NicknameMustangs
    • MascotRawhide
    • MottoTransforming The Future Together
    • ColorsRoyal Purple and Golden Yellow
    • LocationNew Mexico
    • AthleticsNCAA Division II – Lone Star
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous WNMU Alumni

    • Kenneth Wayne Brewer

      Entertainment & Arts

      American poet, longtime scholar, and former Poet Laureate of Utah

    • Tammie Jo Shults

      Social Advocacy & Service

      Former United States Navy F/A-18 naval aviator and captain of Southwest Airlines Flight 1380

    • Jerry D. Thompson

      Education & Advocacy

      Historian of the American Southwest, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from WNMU.

    • Richard Angulo

      Professional Sports

      Former WNMU Mustang football player (1998–2002), was a tight-end with the NFL teams the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Chicago Bears.

    • Henry "Howie" Morales

      Politics & Law

      New Mexico State Senator, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Bilingual Education in 1998

    • Carleton Naiche-Palmer

      Politics & Law

      Former President of the Mescalero Apache (2008–2010). Earned a BBA degree in 1974



All Top Colleges in New Mexico

Recommended Schools

You Could Save Thousands Of Dollars Toward College.

Generate your free SmartPlan™ to identify schools you like, and potential ways to save on your degree or certification program with courses, offers, and much more!

Create Your SmartPlan