Best Colleges in New Mexico (2026)
43 colleges ranked by graduate earnings, acceptance rates, and outcomes — powered by federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.
43
Colleges
$38,684
Avg Earnings (10yr)
$11,664
Avg Net Price
70%
Avg Admit Rate
41%
Avg Grad Rate
State Overview
New Mexico is home to 43 colleges and universities, ranging from research universities to community colleges. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology leads the state in graduate earnings, with state alumni earning $38,684 on average ten years after enrollment. Whether you're looking for a flagship research university, a liberal arts college, or a career-focused program, New Mexico offers diverse options across all price points.
Quick Facts — New Mexico Colleges
Top 10 Colleges in New Mexico by Graduate Earnings
Ranked by median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Public and private nonprofit only.
Admit
54%
Net Price
$8,265
Grad Rate
56%
Earnings
$76,489
Admit
N/A
Net Price
$19,969
Grad Rate
27%
Earnings
$45,389
Admit
N/A
Net Price
$5,467
Grad Rate
17%
Earnings
$44,792
Admit
N/A
Net Price
$10,050
Grad Rate
30%
Earnings
$44,792
Admit
95%
Net Price
$17,478
Grad Rate
52%
Earnings
$44,792
Admit
N/A
Net Price
$10,385
Grad Rate
21%
Earnings
$44,792
Admit
N/A
Net Price
$9,014
Grad Rate
17%
Earnings
$44,792
Most Affordable Colleges in New Mexico
Lowest average net price after grants and scholarships. Public and private nonprofit only.
Albuquerque, NM
28% grad rate
Roswell, NM
32% grad rate
Ruidoso, NM
16% grad rate
Popular Majors
Compare the best colleges for top fields of study — ranked by graduate earnings nationwide.
Find your best-fit New Mexico college
Get a personalized report based on your interests, goals, and what matters most to you — in minutes.
Find my New Mexico collegeAll Colleges in New Mexico
All 43 accredited institutions. Click column headers to sort.
| School | City | Type | Admit Rate | Net Price | Grad Rate | Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Better U Beauty Barber Academy | Albuquerque | Private For-Profit | N/A | $18,460 | 96% | N/A |
| Aveda Institute-New Mexico | Albuquerque | Private For-Profit | N/A | $16,998 | 80% | N/A |
| Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute | Albuquerque | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,819 | 80% | N/A |
| Brookline College-Albuquerque | Albuquerque | Private For-Profit | N/A | $39,885 | 65% | $29,576 |
| Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine | Las Cruces | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Carrington College-Albuquerque | Albuquerque | Private For-Profit | N/A | $39,922 | 55% | $36,718 |
| Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque | Public | N/A | $3,454 | 28% | $36,869 |
| Clovis Community College | Clovis | Public | N/A | $3,318 | 41% | $34,020 |
| Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College | Ruidoso | Public | N/A | $4,230 | 16% | $38,550 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | Portales | Public | 55% | $6,199 | 41% | $38,550 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus | Roswell | Public | N/A | $4,171 | 32% | $38,550 |
| Glitz School of Cosmetology | Las Cruces | Private For-Profit | N/A | $8,298 | 66% | N/A |
| Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development | Santa Fe | Public | 100% | $12,322 | 26% | $24,505 |
| Luna Community College | Las Vegas | Public | N/A | $7,039 | 29% | $32,461 |
| Mesalands Community College | Tucumcari | Public | N/A | $10,078 | 54% | $32,272 |
| Navajo Technical University | Crownpoint | Public | N/A | $3,307 | 14% | $26,364 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | Las Vegas | Public | N/A | $14,141 | 26% | $45,937 |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | Socorro | Public | 54% | $8,265 | 56% | $76,489 |
| New Mexico Junior College | Hobbs | Public | N/A | $6,431 | 36% | $34,233 |
| New Mexico Military Institute | Roswell | Public | 58% | $4,686 | 41% | $57,410 |
| New Mexico State University-Alamogordo | Alamogordo | Public | N/A | $5,789 | 20% | $39,067 |
| New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | Las Cruces | Public | N/A | $4,621 | 16% | $39,067 |
| New Mexico State University-Grants | Grants | Public | N/A | $7,729 | 30% | $39,067 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | Las Cruces | Public | 76% | $6,747 | 52% | $39,067 |
| Northern New Mexico College | Espanola | Public | N/A | $5,216 | 36% | $38,112 |
| Olympian Academy of Cosmetology | LAS CRUCES | Private For-Profit | N/A | $20,874 | 55% | $23,991 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Albuquerque | Albuquerque | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,118 | 75% | $33,273 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque | Albuquerque | Private For-Profit | N/A | $20,348 | 54% | $30,917 |
| San Juan College | Farmington | Public | N/A | $4,526 | 25% | $36,513 |
| Santa Fe Community College | Santa Fe | Public | N/A | $9,215 | 21% | $38,005 |
| Southeast New Mexico College | Carlsbad | Public | N/A | $4,821 | 25% | N/A |
| Southwestern College | Santa Fe | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute | Albuquerque | Public | N/A | $8,683 | 12% | $27,660 |
| St. John's College | Santa Fe | Private Nonprofit | 49% | $24,351 | 66% | $44,985 |
| University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus | Gallup | Public | N/A | $5,467 | 17% | $44,792 |
| University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus | Los Alamos | Public | N/A | $10,050 | 30% | $44,792 |
| University of New Mexico-Main Campus | Albuquerque | Public | 95% | $17,478 | 52% | $44,792 |
| University of New Mexico-Taos Campus | Ranchos de Taos | Public | N/A | $10,385 | 21% | $44,792 |
| University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus | Los Lunas | Public | N/A | $9,014 | 17% | $44,792 |
| University of the Southwest | Hobbs | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $19,969 | 27% | $45,389 |
| Urban Academy of Beauty | Rio Rancho | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $33,273 |
| Vogue College of Cosmetology-Santa Fe | Santa Fe | Private For-Profit | N/A | $23,227 | 56% | N/A |
| Western New Mexico University | Silver City | Public | N/A | $7,912 | 33% | $39,095 |
Showing 43 of 43 schools