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Best Schools in New Mexico

2023 Best Schools in New Mexico

21 Schools Ranked
$43,162 Average Earnings
$13,047 Avg Student Debt

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Schools in New Mexico ranking. Our analysis looked at 21 schools in New Mexico to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in New Mexico

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe, New Mexico
600 Total Awards
$51,935 Average Earnings

Our 2023 rankings named Santa Fe Community College the best school in New Mexico for students working on their degree. SFCC is a public institution located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 600 degrees in .

After graduating from SFCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,935 during the early years of their career.

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356 Total Awards
$64,561 Average Earnings

The excellent programs at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in New Mexico. Located in Socorro, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 356 diplomas to qualifed students in .

After graduating from New Mexico Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $64,561 during the early years of their career.

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1,330 Total Awards
$49,087 Average Earnings
$9,247 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list. ENMU - Main Campus is a medium-sized public school situated in Portales, New Mexico. It awarded 1,330 degrees in .

On average, students take out $9,247 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, ENMU - Main Campus graduates make an average of $49,087 annually.

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#4

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico
1,297 Total Awards
$39,399 Average Earnings

Out of the 21 schools in New Mexico that were part of this year’s ranking, New Mexico State University - Dona Ana landed the # 4 spot on the list. NMSU Dona Ana is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,297 degrees in .

After graduating from NMSU Dona Ana, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,399 during the early years of their career.

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#5

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
10,728 Total Awards
$34,751 Average Earnings
$11,314 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 21 schools in New Mexico that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 10,728 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,314 in student loans. During the early years of their career, CNM graduates make an average of $34,751 annually.

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#6

Clovis Community College

Clovis, New Mexico
748 Total Awards
$44,390 Average Earnings

Clovis Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list. Clovis Community College is a small public school situated in Clovis, New Mexico. It awarded 748 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Clovis Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,390 during the early year of their career.

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#7

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
5,193 Total Awards
$49,983 Average Earnings
$19,986 Avg Student Debt

University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #7 on the list. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is a large public school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 5,193 degrees in .

Degree recipients from UNM accumulate an average of $19,986 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UNM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,983 during the early year of their career.

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115 Total Awards
$39,399 Average Earnings

New Mexico State University - Carlsbad landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. NMSU Carlsbad is a public institution located in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 115 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, NMSU Carlsbad graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,399 during the early year of their career.

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91 Total Awards
$34,802 Average Earnings

New Mexico State University - Grants ranked #9 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list. Located in Grants, New Mexico, the very small public school awarded 91 diplomas to qualifed students in .

Once they receive their degree, NMSU Grants graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,802 during the early year of their career.

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#10

New Mexico State University - Alamogordo

Alamogordo, New Mexico
86 Total Awards
$35,583 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #10, New Mexico State University - Alamogordo did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. NMSU Alamogordo is located in Alamogordo, New Mexico and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 86 degrees to qualified students.

During the early years of their career, NMSU Alamogordo graduates make an average of $35,583 annually.

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#11

New Mexico Highlands University

Las Vegas, New Mexico
820 Total Awards
$47,214 Average Earnings

New Mexico Highlands University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Las Vegas, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 820 diplomas to qualifed students in .

After graduating from New Mexico Highlands University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,214 during the early years of their career.

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#12

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
880 Total Awards
$48,366 Average Earnings

Western New Mexico University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New Mexico ranking. This small public school is located in Silver City, New Mexico, and it awarded 880 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Western New Mexico University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,366 during the early year of their career.

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#13

New Mexico State University - Main Campus

Las Cruces, New Mexico
3,357 Total Awards
$41,860 Average Earnings
$12,864 Avg Student Debt

New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the fairly large public school awarded 3,357 diplomas to qualifed students in .

Degree recipients from NMSU Main Campus accumulate an average of $12,864 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NMSU Main Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,860 during the early year of their career.

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#14

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus

Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico
109 Total Awards
$35,132 Average Earnings

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New Mexico ranking. UNM Taos is a public institution located in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 109 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, UNM Taos graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,132 during the early year of their career.

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70 Total Awards
$29,835 Average Earnings

Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Institute of American Indian Arts is a public institution located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 70 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Institute of American Indian Arts graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,835 during the early year of their career.

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#16

University of the Southwest

Hobbs, New Mexico
290 Total Awards
$45,907 Average Earnings
$20,283 Avg Student Debt

University of the Southwest ranked #16 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list. University of the Southwest is a small private not-for-profit school located in Hobbs, New Mexico that handed out 290 degrees in .

Degree recipients from USW accumulate an average of $20,283 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, USW graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,907 during the early year of their career.

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#17

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico
1,835 Total Awards
$41,697 Average Earnings
$21,447 Avg Student Debt

San Juan College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list. This medium-sized public school is located in Farmington, New Mexico, and it awarded 1,835 degrees in .

On average, students take out $21,447 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SJC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,697 during the early year of their career.

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#18

Brookline College - Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico
216 Total Awards
$39,293 Average Earnings
$14,324 Avg Student Debt

Brookline College - Albuquerque did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. Brookline College - Albuquerque is a very small private for-profit school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 216 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Brookline College - Albuquerque accumulate an average of $14,324 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Brookline College - Albuquerque graduates make an average of $39,293 annually.

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116 Total Awards
$35,132 Average Earnings

University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus is a small public school located in Los Lunas, New Mexico that handed out 116 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, UNM Valencia graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,132 during the early year of their career.

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363 Total Awards
$35,132 Average Earnings

University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New Mexico ranking. UNM Gallup is a small public school situated in Gallup, New Mexico. It awarded 363 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, UNM Gallup graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,132 during the early year of their career.

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535 Total Awards
$21,129 Average Earnings

Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list. Roswell, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 535 students in .

After graduating from ENMU - Roswell Campus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $21,129 during the early years of their career.

Full Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus Report

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Best Schools in the Southwest Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 21 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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