The Best Online Colleges in New Mexico
Updated October 18, 2023
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New Mexico is home to more than 40 colleges and universities, nearly all of which offer online course options.
Online schools in New Mexico offer programs that align with the state's key industries and national projections for employment growth. New Mexico has strong bioscience, sustainable energy and agriculture, and cybersecurity industries, which reflects the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) list of fastest-growing occupations in the state.
With employers increasingly seeking job candidates with college degrees, enrolling in an online institution in New Mexico can provide opportunities for career success. Community colleges in New Mexico offer online degrees in areas like computer information systems, business, and criminal justice, while four-year institutions provide online learning opportunities across academic disciplines.
Featured Online Schools
Nearly 20 colleges and universities in New Mexico are Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities members and designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions. With academic programs, student services, and resources specifically in place to assist Hispanic learners, colleges in New Mexico can help all students thrive as they earn their degrees.
The Best Online Colleges in New Mexico
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data and
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 The Best Online Colleges in New Mexico
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Online degree-seekers should consider New Mexico State University. The 40 online programs offered by this public institution consist of both undergraduate and graduate offerings. Distance learners benefit from the school's track record in online education and its strong academic reputation.
Online learners can receive assistance from career and academic service associates located at the school's physical campus in Las Cruces. Virtual career fairs, academic advising, and other programs invest in the long-term success of degree-seekers. Internships are available to help students gain hands-on experience. A degree with full accreditation is awarded to all enrollees upon completing their program.
Representatives at the school can provide additional information about application and program specifics.
New Mexico State University at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 6,244
Online Bachelor's Programs: 12
Online Master's Programs: 16
Percent of Programs Offered Online: 21%
Admission Rate: 55%
Online Colleges in New Mexico Ranking Guidelines
We selected the online schools in New Mexico based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, and faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Employment in New Mexico
In New Mexico, a thriving sustainable energy and agriculture industry offers extensive employment opportunities for graduates with relevant degrees. The BLS identifies wind turbine service technicians and solar photovoltaic installers as two of the fastest-growing occupations in the state for 2019-2029.
Other growth industries in New Mexico include aerospace and defense, global trade, biosciences, and cybersecurity. Positions in these industries include information security analysts, data scientists, and operations research analysts.
New Mexico residents benefit from a cost of living below the national average. In New Mexico, the cost of living is 88.4, with health and housing costs at even lower rates compared to the national averages.
In addition to this lower cost of living, New Mexico has also seen a decline in its unemployment rate through 2020, especially as it begins to recover from coronavirus. In July, unemployment in New Mexico reached nearly 13%, but fell to 8.2% in December of 2020.
Below are a few of the highest-paying roles employing more than 750 individuals in New Mexico. Salary information applies specifically to New Mexico, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2019) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicists | $166,720 | 7% | Doctoral |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $107,830 | 4% | High School Diploma or Bachelor's Degree |
| Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists | $89,090 | 6% | Bachelor's Degree |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $87,730 | 2% | Bachelor's Degree |
| Tutors and Teachers and Instructors | $58,860 | 7% | Bachelor's Degree |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $57,350 | 5% | Bachelor's Degree |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $53,670 | 0% | High School Diploma |
Online Associate and Graduate Degrees
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities across the United States have expanded online offerings to accommodate students. In New Mexico, some colleges and universities use the ed2go system to provide extensive online course options.
Along with individual classes, institutions such as Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) and Clovis Community College (CCC) offer online associate degrees in business administration and criminal justice. An online associate degree in New Mexico provides a solid foundation for entry-level careers and continued study.
Online associate degrees cover many topics. For example, the online associate of applied science in business administration at CNM builds fundamental accounting, finance, and marketing knowledge and skills. CCC's online associate of applied science in criminal justice integrates coursework in juvenile justice, corrections, and criminal investigations and procedures.
Online graduate degrees in New Mexico also span disciplines such as business, healthcare, engineering, and criminal justice. University of New Mexico (UNM) offers an online master of business administration degree that learners can complete in just 16 months.
Similarly, Western New Mexico University's online master's degree in business administration allows enrollees to concentrate their studies in international business, management information systems, healthcare administration, and instructional technology and design.
New Mexico State University offers an online master of criminal justice degree that mirrors its on-campus offering. Enrollees can pursue a curriculum that leads to careers in teaching and research, administrative positions within the criminal justice system, and doctoral studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College Free in New Mexico?
In 2019, New Mexico announced a plan to offer free college to state residents. The state revised this plan in 2020, passing a program that provides financial assistance to residents enrolled in two-year programs at public institutions in New Mexico.
How Long Do You Have To Live in New Mexico To Get In-State Tuition?
To qualify for in-state tuition in New Mexico, individuals must reside in the state for 12 consecutive months. Each student must be financially independent and submit a letter relinquishing residency in any other state.
How Much Does Online College in New Mexico Usually Cost?
Online tuition in New Mexico varies by institution and program. Additional considerations include county of residence, state residency, and the number of credits an individual takes each semester.
Does UNM Offer Online Degrees?
UNM offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees online, with additional online certificates available. UNM also offers accelerated online programs.
Melissa Sartore
Melissa Sartore holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her BA and MA in history are from Western Illinois University. A medievalist by training, she has published on outlawry in medieval England with additional publications on outlaws in popular culture and across geographic and historical boundaries.
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