Accredited colleges and universities have had their educational programs and faculty evaluated by an outside agency. Those agencies ensure that the school provides a high-quality education to its students, so to have your degree recognized by employers, it’s critical to attend an accredited institution. Below you’ll find information on higher education in the state and helpful resources on online colleges in New Mexico.
- School Search
- Accreditation Agencies
- Education Links
- Notable Schools
School Search
Accredited Online Colleges Database
Accreditation Agencies
The following agencies accredit schools in New Mexico. However, it’s important to understand that this list only includes institution-wide accreditors, rather than agencies that only award program-specific accreditation. For details on program-specific accreditation, look through our subject pages.
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission (NCAHLC)
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
- Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
Higher Education Links
For more information about higher education reforms and propositions in the state, visit the state’s higher education boards and council websites. In addition, contact them or individual schools for more general college and university information.
Notable Schools
Picking a school can be a daunting task, especially when considering the sheer number of accredited colleges there are in the state. Our database below can help with narrowing down your options for your specific area. In addition, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most notable accredited online and campus-based schools in the state to help you begin your school search.
Public
Although it is one of the newest states in the union, New Mexico is home to several quality public universities. Learn more about some of these choices below.
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque
The UNM faculty includes a Nobel Laureate, two MacArthur Fellows, 35 Fulbright scholars and several members of national academies; members of this distinguished group share their expertise not only with students, but also in various professional journals including Scientific American, the New England Journal of Medicine and Nature; in mainstream publications including Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, Business Week, US News and World Report, and the New Yorker; and on CNN, Nova, National Geographic, and other television shows. UNM’s undergraduate business and engineering programs are also ranked by US News and World Report as among the nation’s best.
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces
New Mexico’s land-grant institution, New Mexico State is among the top tier of the nation’s Best National Universities according to the U.S. News and World Report. NMSU serves a diverse student body through its five campuses, a satellite learning center in Albuquerque, cooperative extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 agriculture research and science centers, and via the use of distance education programs. NMSU is home to the first Honors College in the state.
Western New Mexico University
Silver City
Western New Mexico University has a traditional focus as a teachers’ college and its flagship program, the College of Education, has successfully placed teachers in classrooms nationwide. Located in Silver City, a historic southwestern community, students enjoy year round access to the WNMU Museum, home to the world’s largest permanent collection of Mimbres pottery.
Private
There are a few private universities in New Mexico, although all of them are relatively small. Find out more about the most notable ones below.
University of the Southwest
Hobbs
The University of the Southwest was founded in 1962 as a non-denominational Christian university. The criminal justice program at USW is particularly strong, offering online options and an academic alliance partnership with FBI National Academy.
St. John’s College
Santa Fe
St. John’s College bases its entire curriculum on a classical concept of liberal arts education; as a result, every student completes four years of languages, mathematics, and interdisciplinary study; three years of laboratory science (biology, physics, and chemistry); one year of music; two eight-week elective discussions called preceptorials; and lectures once-a-week for the entire student body. Classes are conducted as seminars, with between 14 and 20 students, reflecting the faculty-student ratio of 1 to 8. The focus of the seminars are the Western cultural tradition and are arranged chronologically, beginning with the Greeks in freshman year and continuing to the 20th century in senior year. St. John’s refuses to participate in rankings and does not send its information to rankers, but The Daily Beast did dub it the Most Rigorous College in the United States.
Santa Fe University of Art and Design
Santa Fe
Santa Fe University of Art and Design is actually the oldest higher education center in New Mexico and was named “Best in the West” by the Princeton Review. The SFUAD faculty to student ratio is 8 to 1, and the average class size is only 16 students. The Performing Arts Department is particularly strong, and In 2012 trade publication Backstage named the department one of the top five in the U.S. outside of Los Angeles. Faculty members are working artists who continue to earn accolades in their respective fields.