2018 Directory of Online Colleges and Universities in New Mexico

Distance learning has emerged as an integral part of higher education in colleges and universities across the state of New Mexico. Online schools in New Mexico have a wide array of online options from which you can choose. There are more than 17 post-secondary institutions in New Mexico. Of these schools, 17 offer online programs. Of these accredited online colleges, five are public four-year colleges or universities and four are public community or technical colleges and eight are private colleges, universities, or career and vocational schools. These schools offer 261 online certificate programs, 1,911 online associate programs, 1,360 online bachelor’s programs, 655 online master’s programs, 808 online professional programs, and 153 online doctoral programs. In these programs, students may study subjects ranging from carpentry to law enforcement to forensic science.

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Job Outlook

The state has a total workforce of approximately 777,560 employees.The job outlook in New Mexico looks bright for most industries, as the state benefits from an unemployment rate lower than the national average, at 6.9 percent as of March 2013. In the state, the three largest industries are:

Financial: 4 percent
Agriculture: 4 percent
Wholesale trade: 2 percent

The average wage of New Mexico employees is less than the average wage for employees across the nation. In the US, workers earn approximately $42,871 annually. However, in New Mexico, workers earn approximately $40,050 annually. The highest paid workers in the state earn over $75,170 annually, while the lowest paid workers earn under $16,950 annually. The median annual income for employees is about $30,060.

Tuition

Tuition may vary for online college courses based on factors including the type and location of the institution as well as the program. The average in-state tuition at the public four-year colleges and universities in New Mexico was $3,331 per year. On average, tuition at public community and technical colleges was $1,004 per year. Tuition for students at private accredited online colleges ranged from $9,400 to $27,996 per year.

Accreditation in New Mexico

New Mexico online schools are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC is an organization operating under the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS), a regional institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The HLC is responsible for school accreditation, ensuring that online degree programs in New Mexico meet the high standard of excellence required of any institution that receives their accreditation.

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New Mexico Distance Learning Resources

New Mexico Higher Education Department helps you to stay on top of the latest developments in higher education across New Mexico, including reports on online education and the latest trends in higher learning.
Online Learning Opportunities from the New Mexico State Library collects links to free online courseware in a number of disciplines in addition to distance training modules for working professionals.
State Education Data Profile for New Mexico gives you the raw data regarding graduation rates and enrollment in New Mexico schools.
New Mexico Workforce Connection is a state-approved, comprehensive online tool for browsing job opportunities and employment trends throughout the state including career advice, job postings, and other resources to industry-specific sites.
Association of Non-Traditional Students is the University of New Mexico’s collection of online aids for “non-traditional” students, including distance-learning and older students.
New Mexico Association of Financial Aid Administrators offers financial aid information including scholarship, grant, and student loans tailored to students enrolled in New Mexico colleges.

More Information

Located in the Southwest region of the United States, New Mexico was named from Mexico meaning “place of Mexitli,” an Aztec god or leader. The state, which has an area of 121,590 square miles, is the 5th largest in the US. The state’s average annual temperature is about 58°F.

The population of New Mexico is the 16th smallest in the US. It has an estimated population of 2,059,179 residents living in its 33 counties. About 42 percent of those living in New Mexico are less than 30 years old. Also, it has one of the most diverse populations in the nation with about 60 percent of the population identifying itself as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group.

Although New Mexico’s capital city is Santa Fe, the largest city in the state is Albuquerque, with a population of 545,852 residents. Of the state’s residents, an estimated 3.77 percent reside in the greater Albuquerque area. Some of the other populous cities in New Mexico include Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, and Roswell.

As compared to residents in other states around the U.S., New Mexico residents normally have a lower than average level of education. According to the 2010 Census, approximately 17.2 percent of the state’s residents over the age of 25 have finished high school, 3.5 percent have at least an associate degree, 2.5 percent have degrees at the bachelor’s level or higher, and 1 percent hold a graduate level degree.