Home to 44 higher education institutions, New Mexico serves a diverse population of students. In 2015, nearly 54,000 students enrolled in at least one online course. This total represents 38.8% of New Mexico's student body, an 11% growth in online enrollment that surpasses the national average by 9.1%. The number of New Mexico students taking all of their coursework online also surpasses the 14.2% national average at 16.2%.
In 2017, the New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED) discovered that excess credit accumulation prohibited students from timely graduation dates. Therefore, the HED modified policies to ensure that students can complete mandatory coursework within two-year and four-year time frames for associate and bachelor programs, respectively. HED now confirms that 19 institutions offer programs following these guidelines. Additionally, the New Mexico HED's standardized advanced placement (AP) credit acceptance policy assists students with earning their degrees faster and cheaper. Collectively, New Mexico students saved nearly $4.26 million in tuition in 2017. In addition to other tuition breaks, this guide includes information regarding the best online colleges in New Mexico and the current job outlook for graduates.
Recommended Reading
Overview of Online Colleges in New Mexico
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in New Mexico
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), New Mexico students can choose from 28 public, three nonprofit, and 12 for-profit colleges and universities. NCES data also shows that in 2016, 19,841,010 students completed coursework at degree-granting postsecondary institutions across the United States. Among these students, 134,610 belonged to schools in New Mexico.[dataviz-stats public="28" non-profit="3" for-profit="12"]While the Department of Education in New Mexico strives to provide affordable solutions for higher education students both locally and nationally, out-of-state students should still consider how residency impacts tuition costs. College Board data for the 2018-2019 school year indicates that the average tuition price at a public university in New Mexico costs $7,130, while out-of-state tuition can reach above $20,000 per year. In fact, the University of New Mexico, the state's flagship school, currently costs $7,320 for residents and $22,590 for non-residents per year.New Mexico students can obtain funding for school from multiple sources. Data provided by the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs indicates that New Mexico provided $91,316,820 in aid to students during the 2015-2016 school year, $31,823,820 of which went to need-based programs like grants and work-study. Another $59,131,900 supported merit-based programs including athletic, lottery, and competitive scholarships. The remaining money supported programs that consider both need and merit, which include legislative endowments and New Mexico scholars.
Higher Education in New Mexico
Featured Online Programs
The State of Online Higher Education in New Mexico
According to 2015 Online Learning Survey data, nearly 39% of New Mexico students enrolled in at least one online course, which represents an 11% increase since 2012. Furthermore, 18,715 undergraduate students and 3,670 graduates enrolled in 100% online colleges in New Mexico, which represents 16.2% of the state's higher education student population. Many students earning their degree from online schools in New Mexico live in the state. In fact, 78.3% of distance learners live in New Mexico, while the national average hovers around 55%. On the other hand, some students prefer a combination of in-person and distance learning class environments. Nearly 116,000 students utilize digital and online class environments each year, a 3.2% decrease from previous years.[dataviz-nces online="12.9" undergrad="12.1" in-state="78.3"]Most students attending online colleges in New Mexico enroll in large public schools; however, medium-sized institutions with less than 10,000 admitted applicants represent the second largest concentration of student enrollment. In fact, public schools account for 64% of the student population, private institutions account for 29%, and nonprofits account for 7%. That said, 97% of distance learners choose public online schools in New Mexico.Students considering online colleges in New Mexico should familiarize themselves with the New Mexico Learning Network (NMLN), which helps educators and students communicate effectively. Over the past 18 years, the NMLN has recruited 20 schools across the state to combine resources that help distance learners in New Mexico. This technology includes internet conferencing and interactive tools.
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Distance learners often look for the best and most affordable programs. If their state does not harbor a school with their ideal program, students may need to select out-of-state schools that charge higher tuition rates. As such, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) emerged in the 1950's with the goal of pooling resources from multiple institutions — ultimately leading to the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). Students residing in states affiliated with the WUE program pay no more than 150% of resident tuition rates at online colleges in New Mexico, saving them up to $9,000 per year. Students in affiliated states qualify for WUE despite financial need. Some schools also offer additional discounted rates. Schools can limit the number of students they admit each year, so WUE applicants need to submit their applications earlier than other students.Participating states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and U.S Pacific territories and freely associated states.
Best Online Colleges in New Mexico
Below, you will find our rankings of the best online four-year programs in New Mexico. Our profiles look at how schools approach online education and then list out their services for distance students and their popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in New Mexico, explore our state resources, like a database of every college and university in New Mexico or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in New Mexico
Below you'll find another list of the top online colleges in New Mexico, sorted by lowest tuition rate.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online schools in New Mexico is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in NM with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in their state.
College Graduate Outlook in New Mexico
Job Outlook for College Graduates in New Mexico
Students considering a career in New Mexico should examine the job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), New Mexico professionals earn an average of $44,840 per year; moreover, the unemployment rate rests at 4.6%. However, since employment rates vary by industry, students should determine whether New Mexico can support their specific career goals. Key industries include energy and natural resources, aerospace and defense, food processing, distributions, logistics, transportation, advanced manufacturing, digital media, and business operation centers.In particular, the energy and natural resources found in New Mexico allow the state to remain one of the top 10 energy suppliers in the nation for gas, oil, biofuel, solar, and wind. Additionally, the climate supports needs for testing facilities and restricted airspace, which allows the state to harbor many aerospace organizations, including the first FAA-sanctioned UAS test center and Spaceport America. New Mexico also harbors three national research laboratories and acclaimed research institutions, which offer students valuable practical experience.