Online Colleges in New Mexico 2021
By ACO Staff with contributions from Genevieve Carlton, Emma Yenko
Published on September 1, 2021
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New Mexico online colleges offer below-average tuition rates. Plus, New Mexico offers multiple scholarship and grant programs to help make college more affordable. Students can also save money by establishing New Mexico residency and attending an in-state public school.
Our list ranks the best colleges in New Mexico to earn an online degree in 2021. Prospective students can use the rankings to find the right fit for their interests, budget, and professional goals. This guide also covers career and salary outlooks for New Mexico college graduates.
Credits, cost, and tuition for New Mexico Online Colleges
Tuition rates vary depending on the institution. For example, UNM Online charges $369 per credit for its accelerated online programs, while Western New Mexico University charges around $240 per credit.
New Mexico's public two-year colleges charge the lowest tuition rates, followed by public four-year colleges. Private colleges typically charge the highest tuition rates.
Students must live in New Mexico for 12 consecutive months to qualify for in-state tuition rates. In-state tuition offers a significant discount over out-of-state tuition.
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Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master’s or PhD programs.
Why Choose New Mexico for Online Higher Education?
New Mexico offers several advantages for prospective college students. The state's below-average tuition rates make New Mexico an affordable place to earn a college degree. College graduates can pursue various career paths that offer above-average salaries.
New Mexico's key industries include biosciences, technology, manufacturing, and aerospace. Many of these industries hire professionals with a bachelor's degree.
Common Online Bachelor's Programs in New Mexico
New Mexico undergraduates can earn degrees in diverse fields. The most common online bachelor's programs in the state include business, education, and psychology.
Biology
Biology majors study living organisms and ecosystems. Undergraduates take courses on topics like microbiology, cellular biology, and biochemistry. Most biology programs incorporate laboratory courses, giving students hands-on skills. Biology graduates can work in areas like medical sciences, laboratory sciences, and education.Business
A versatile degree, business programs train students in areas like accounting, finance, logistics, and management. Learners study topics like economics, organizational behavior, and strategic leadership. Graduates can pursue careers as financial analysts, accountants, entrepreneurs, and management consultants.Education
An education degree prepares graduates for teaching jobs, like early childhood educator, elementary school teacher, and secondary school teacher. Education majors study topics like effective instructional methods, pedagogical techniques, and classroom management skills. Education programs also incorporate student-teaching experiences.Marketing
Marketing courses cover topics like consumer behavior, market research, and competitor analysis. Marketing majors may also take specialized courses in areas like internet marketing, digital marketing, and sales. A marketing degree strengthens analytical, critical thinking, and creative skills. Graduates can pursue careers as market research analysts and marketing managers.Psychology
A psychology degree focuses on human behavior. Psychology majors study topics like human development, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. Graduates with a psychology degree can work in areas like research, business, laboratory sciences, education, and social services.
Cost of Attending an Online College in New Mexico
In New Mexico, public four-year colleges charge less than private colleges. Public two-year colleges offer the most affordable route to a college degree, with average tuition rates at around $1,700 per year.
The cost of online college also varies. Students at New Mexico online colleges may receive tuition discounts. Plus, many distance learners save on the expenses that on-campus students incur, such as transportation, childcare, and living expenses.
Many of the best colleges in New Mexico charge tuition rates below the national average. Nationally, public four-year colleges charge around $9,000 per year in tuition and fees, while New Mexico's public colleges cost under $7,000 per year. Similarly, New Mexico's public community colleges cost around half of the national average.
| Public Four-Year College | Private Four-Year College | Public Two-Year College | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | $6,902 | $30,137 | $1,705 |
| Out-of-State | $18,350 | N/A | $6,698 |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Career and Salary Outlook for Students in New Mexico
Professionals in New Mexico earn a mean salary of around $47,000 per year. The career and salary outlook improves for professionals with a bachelor's degree, who work in many high-paying roles. For example, engineers, healthcare managers, and tech professionals can all earn six-figure salaries in New Mexico.
Marketing Managers
Marketing managers analyze data to understand demand for new products and services. Marketing managers also identify potential new markets and research pricing strategies to maximize profits. As managers, they work closely with executives in areas like advertising, public relations, and sales to reach their organization's goals.Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and information systems managers, also known as IT managers, oversee an organization's computer and technology needs. They determine the organization's IT needs, implement computer systems, and maintain network security. Computer and information systems managers may also oversee computer specialists, including software developers and information security analysts.Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical and health services managers, also known as healthcare executives, oversee the business side of healthcare organizations. They set long-term departmental goals, implement plans to increase the quality of patient care, and supervise staff. These professionals also manage finances, including billing and budgeting.Personal Finance Advisors
Personal financial advisors recommend investment and savings strategies for clients. They research savings vehicles, including stocks and bonds, and explain financial services to clients. Personal financial advisors also monitor their clients' accounts, select investments, and answer questions about savings vehicles and investment risks.Chemical Engineers
Chemical engineers create manufacturing processes, design equipment to create fuel or pharmaceuticals, and test production methods. Some chemical engineers focus on research and development, while others create processes for using chemicals. Chemical engineers typically hold a bachelor's in engineering.
| Career | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth Rate (2019-2029) |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing Managers | $98,330 | 8.1% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $118,020 | 11.3% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $126,820 | 17.6% |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $124,790 | 7% |
| Chemical Engineers | $122,140 | 6.2% |
Source: BLS, ProjectionsCentral
New Mexico Scholarships and Grants
New Mexico college students qualify for many scholarship and grant opportunities. For instance, the New Mexico Higher Education Department offers multiple scholarships and grants for students at New Mexico online colleges. The following list outlines several scholarships for students at online colleges in New Mexico.
| Scholarship | Amount | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|
New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship |
Varies | New Mexico residents who graduated from high school in the state qualify for this opportunity. Applicants must be enrolled full time at a public college in New Mexico. Recipients must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. |
New Mexico Scholars |
Tuition | New Mexico high school graduates who graduated in the top 5% of their class or earned at least a 25 on the ACT or a 1140 on the SAT qualify. Recipients must attend an eligible college and demonstrate a combined family income of less than $60,000 per year. |
Student Incentive Grant Program |
$200-$2,500 | This grant supports New Mexico students attending a public college or tribal college in the state. Applicants must demonstrate substantial financial need and hold a high school diploma or the equivalent. |
College Affordability Grant |
Up to $1,500 per semester | New Mexico's college affordability grant supports students with financial need who do not qualify for other scholarships and grants offered by the state. Recipients must attend a New Mexico public college. |
New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship |
Tuition | Students enrolled in a two-year program at a public college or tribal college in New Mexico qualify. Applicants must be New Mexico residents, complete the FAFSA, and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. |
Best Online Colleges in New Mexico
NMSU offers over 70 online programs and more than 500 unique courses at the certificate, associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. Students can explore degrees in several fields of study, including business administration, family and child sciences, criminal justice, and counseling and community psychology. Similar to other online colleges in New Mexico, many of NMSU's online programs do not require on-campus visits.
The university provides free software for online students. Other student support services include tutoring, career assessment and advising, academic counseling, and technical assistance. Online enrollees can also access the university's library and writing center resources. They can also apply to many of the scholarships and grant programs available to on-campus students.
Transfer students must show completion of at least 24 credits from an accredited two- or four-year institution. Applicants with fewer than 24 credits must apply as first-year students. NMSU only accepts courses for which transferees received a minimum 2.0 GPA.
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Students can explore more than 30 online degrees at Eastern New Mexico University. ENMU offers certificate, associate, bachelor's, and master's programs in aviation science and communicative disorders. Students can also pursue fields such as criminal justice, electronic engineering technology, and nursing.
Like other online colleges in New Mexico, ENMU offers various student support services to its off-campus enrollees. Online students can take advantage of flexible course formats and specialized library services. The university also gives online learners access to tutoring services, academic and career counseling, and technical assistance.
ENMU maintains transfer partnerships with several community colleges, so students can smoothly transition to the university. Prospective transfer students who have not completed at least 30 college-level credits must also submit high school or GED transcripts. High school graduates with college credits who have not attended college must apply as first-year students. Online enrollees can apply for many of the university scholarships and grant programs available.
Eastern New Mexico University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
One of several online colleges in New Mexico, UNM offers 30 online degrees, some of which do not require any on-campus visits. Students can pursue online programs at the certificate, undergraduate, and graduate levels. UNM offers online degrees in several fields of study, including computer engineering, construction management, cybersecurity and business analytics, and educational leadership. The university also offers an online doctor of philosophy in nursing.
Nineteen of the university's online programs follow an accelerated delivery format. UNM offers multiple start dates throughout the school year for accelerated online programs (AOP). In addition, AOPs follow eight-week delivery schedules. AOP enrollees pay a flat tuition regardless of residency, which can lead to significant savings.
UNM supports online enrollees by giving them access to various student services. Online students can receive technical assistance, tutoring services, and academic and career counseling.
University of New Mexico is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Western New Mexico University offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees across several fields of study. Students can explore online options such as social work, early childhood education, instructional technology and design, nursing. Like other New Mexico online schools, many of WNMU's online programs deliver courses asynchronously, adding flexibility and convenience.
Online students receive access to a 24/7 electronic tutoring service. However, they can also schedule online sessions with live tutors for assistance with specific subjects or writing and research requirements. WNMU also gives online enrollees access to the university's library system and its resources. Other student support services available to online learners include technical help and career and academic counseling.
As of June 2021, WNMU charges an additional per-credit course fee for online students, which is $30 per undergraduate credit and $40 per graduate credit. Online enrollees can apply to many of the scholarships, grants, and work-study programs that the university offers.
Western New Mexico University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and earned tenure as a history professor at the University of Louisville. An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a freelance writer and consultant.
With an undergraduate degree in communications and a master's in education, Emma finds writing for the education vertical to be the perfect niche.
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AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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