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Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico

14 Schools Ranked
$38,699 Average Earnings
$23,207 Avg Student Debt

Today's nursing students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico ranking. Our analysis looked at 14 schools in New Mexico to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in New Mexico

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1,342 Total Awards
$41,884 Average Earnings
$21,720 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus to be the best school for nursing students in New Mexico. Located in Portales, New Mexico, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,342 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,720 in student loans.After graduating from ENMU - Main Campus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,884 during the early years of their career.

Full Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Report

#2

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
5,350 Total Awards
$45,271 Average Earnings
$32,414 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 14 schools in New Mexico that were part of this year’s ranking, University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the # 2 spot on the list. UNM is a large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 5,350 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $32,414 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UNM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,271 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#3

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
889 Total Awards
$51,426 Average Earnings
$30,386 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Western New Mexico University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico list. Western New Mexico University is located in Silver City, New Mexico and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 889 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Western New Mexico University accumulate an average of $30,386 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Western New Mexico University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,426 during the early years of their career.

Full Western New Mexico University Report

3,360 Total Awards
$36,973 Average Earnings
$22,700 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 14 schools in New Mexico that were part of this year’s ranking, New Mexico State University - Main Campus landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the fairly large public school handed out 3,360 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from NMSU Main Campus accumulate an average of $22,700 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NMSU Main Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,973 during the early year of their career.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Report

157 Total Awards
$31,288 Average Earnings
$13,626 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at New Mexico State University - Carlsbad helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in New Mexico. Carlsbad, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 157 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from NMSU Carlsbad accumulate an average of $13,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NMSU Carlsbad graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,288 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on New Mexico State University - Carlsbad

282 Total Awards
$30,476 Average Earnings
$14,575 Avg Student Debt

University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico list. UNM Gallup is a public institution located in Gallup, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 282 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $14,575 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UNM Gallup graduates make an average of $30,476 annually.

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#7

Clovis Community College

Clovis, New Mexico
725 Total Awards
$48,236 Average Earnings
$9,828 Avg Student Debt

Clovis Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico list. Clovis Community College is a small public school situated in Clovis, New Mexico. It awarded 725 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,828 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Clovis Community College graduates make an average of $48,236 annually.

Read full report on Clovis Community College

#8

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico
1,277 Total Awards
$31,467 Average Earnings
$13,537 Avg Student Debt

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico ranking. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,277 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $13,537 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from NMSU Dona Ana, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,467 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

#9

Brookline College - Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico
183 Total Awards
$35,305 Average Earnings
$15,117 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Brookline College - Albuquerque did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. This very small private for-profit school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 183 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,117 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $173. Once they receive their degree, Brookline College - Albuquerque graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,305 during the early year of their career.

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#10

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico
1,790 Total Awards
$36,738 Average Earnings
$13,626 Avg Student Debt

San Juan College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Farmington, New Mexico is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,790 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from SJC accumulate an average of $13,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from SJC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,738 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on San Juan College

#11

Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe, New Mexico
681 Total Awards
$40,512 Average Earnings
$15,148 Avg Student Debt

Santa Fe Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico ranking. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 681 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $15,148 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SFCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,512 during the early year of their career.

Full Santa Fe Community College Report

#12

New Mexico Junior College

Hobbs, New Mexico
402 Total Awards
$43,137 Average Earnings
$9,801 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, New Mexico Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. New Mexico Junior College is a public institution located in Hobbs, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 402 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from New Mexico Junior College accumulate an average of $9,801 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from New Mexico Junior College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,137 during the early years of their career.

Full New Mexico Junior College Report

#13

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
7,939 Total Awards
$30,582 Average Earnings
$9,753 Avg Student Debt

Central New Mexico Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico list. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 7,939 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,753 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CNM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,582 during the early year of their career.

Full Central New Mexico Community College Report

498 Total Awards
$29,262 Average Earnings
$11,539 Avg Student Debt

Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in New Mexico ranking. Located in Roswell, New Mexico, the small public school handed out 498 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,539 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, ENMU - Roswell Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,262 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus

Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 14 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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