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Best Schools in New Mexico

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2023 Best Schools in New Mexico

21 Schools Ranked
$38,658 Average Earnings
$21,739 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
$40,512 Average Earnings
$19,196 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Santa Fe Community College to be the best school for students in New Mexico.

On average, students take out $19,196 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SFCC graduates make an average of $40,512 annually.

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$57,275 Average Earnings
$23,221 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is a great place for students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,221 in student loans.After graduating from New Mexico Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,275 during the early years of their career.

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$41,884 Average Earnings
$19,483 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.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,483 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, ENMU - Main Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,884 during the early year of their career.

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#4

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico
$31,467 Average Earnings
$16,687 Avg Student Debt

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.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,687 in student loans. During the early years of their career, NMSU Dona Ana graduates make an average of $31,467 annually.

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#5

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
$30,582 Average Earnings
$13,850 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Central New Mexico Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list.

On average, students take out $13,850 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CNM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,582 during the early year of their career.

Full Central New Mexico Community College Report

#6

Clovis Community College

Clovis, New Mexico
$48,236 Average Earnings
$13,362 Avg Student Debt

Clovis Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #6 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,362 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Clovis Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,236 during the early year of their career.

Full Clovis Community College Report

#7

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
$45,271 Average Earnings
$21,068 Avg Student Debt

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New Mexico ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,068 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UNM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,271 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of New Mexico - Main Campus

$31,288 Average Earnings
$16,036 Avg Student Debt

New Mexico State University - Carlsbad came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New Mexico ranking.

On average, students take out $16,036 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, NMSU Carlsbad graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,288 during the early year of their career.

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$27,231 Average Earnings
$13,956 Avg Student Debt

New Mexico State University - Grants ranked #9 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,956 in student loans. During the early years of their career, NMSU Grants graduates make an average of $27,231 annually.

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#10

New Mexico State University - Alamogordo

Alamogordo, New Mexico
$27,103 Average Earnings
$13,714 Avg Student Debt

New Mexico State University - Alamogordo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #10 on the list.

On average, students take out $13,714 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, NMSU Alamogordo graduates make an average of $27,103 annually.

Read full report on New Mexico State University - Alamogordo

#11

New Mexico Highlands University

Las Vegas, New Mexico
$37,927 Average Earnings
$21,905 Avg Student Debt

New Mexico Highlands University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list.

Degree recipients from New Mexico Highlands University accumulate an average of $21,905 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, New Mexico Highlands University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,927 during the early year of their career.

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#12

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
$51,426 Average Earnings
$28,066 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Western New Mexico University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,066 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Western New Mexico University graduates make an average of $51,426 annually.

Full Western New Mexico University Report

#13

New Mexico State University - Main Campus

Las Cruces, New Mexico
$36,973 Average Earnings
$21,682 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.

Degree recipients from NMSU Main Campus accumulate an average of $21,682 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 $36,973 during the early year of their career.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Report

#14

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus

Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico
$30,476 Average Earnings
$16,013 Avg Student Debt

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list.

On average, students take out $16,013 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UNM Taos graduates make an average of $30,476 annually.

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$28,018 Average Earnings
$14,368 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,368 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Institute of American Indian Arts graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $28,018 during the early year of their career.

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#16

University of the Southwest

Hobbs, New Mexico
$42,227 Average Earnings
$25,052 Avg Student Debt

University of the Southwest came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New Mexico ranking.

On average, students take out $25,052 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, USW graduates make an average of $42,227 annually.

Read full report on University of the Southwest

#17

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico
$36,738 Average Earnings
$16,058 Avg Student Debt

San Juan College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #17 on the list.

Degree recipients from SJC accumulate an average of $16,058 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, SJC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,738 during the early year of their career.

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#18

Brookline College - Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico
$35,305 Average Earnings
$27,632 Avg Student Debt

Brookline College - Albuquerque landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

Degree recipients from Brookline College - Albuquerque accumulate an average of $27,632 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $214. Once they receive their degree, Brookline College - Albuquerque graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,305 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Brookline College - Albuquerque

$30,476 Average Earnings
$16,013 Avg Student Debt

University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #19 on the list.

On average, students take out $16,013 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UNM Valencia graduates make an average of $30,476 annually.

Read full report on University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus

$30,476 Average Earnings
$16,013 Avg Student Debt

University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in New Mexico ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,013 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UNM Gallup graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,476 during the early year of their career.

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$29,262 Average Earnings
$12,101 Avg Student Debt

Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Schools in New Mexico list.

On average, students take out $12,101 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, ENMU - Roswell Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,262 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus

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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