Nursing Schools in New Mexico (2026)
18 accredited nursing programs found
New Mexico has 18 nursing-relevant schools in this directory, with a heavily public-tilted split of 16 public and 2 private institutions. Average in-state tuition is $4,704 — the lowest of any state in this directory — with public schools averaging $3,956 and private schools averaging $16,670. The 25th-to-75th-percentile tuition band runs from $1,472 to $7,260. The cheapest tracked program is Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute at $1,095 per year, and the largest by undergraduate enrollment is the University of New Mexico-Main Campus at approximately 16,686.
Across New Mexico programs the average graduation rate is 34.8 percent — the lowest state average in this directory — and the average retention rate is 59.8 percent. Median post-graduation earnings average $36,869 and median federal debt at graduation averages $12,878. The state's healthcare employer base is anchored by Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, and Lovelace Health System, with most major employment around Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Registered Nurse Market in New Mexico
BLS wage and employment data for registered nurses
Registered Nurse Salary in New Mexico
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Matches the New Mexico average of $4,704.
Matches the New Mexico average of 34.8%.
Matches the New Mexico median of $36,869.
Tuition Overview
| Avg Public Tuition | $3,956 |
| Lowest Tuition | $1,095 |
| Highest Tuition | $16,670 |
| Avg Private Tuition | $16,670 |
Student Outcomes
| Avg Graduation Rate | 34.8% |
| Avg Earnings After Grad | $36,486 |
| Avg Student Debt | $12,878 |
| Total Enrollment | 64,434 |
All Nursing Schools in New Mexico
| Institution | City | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Mexico-Main Campus | Albuquerque | Public | $8,115 | 16,686 |
| Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque | Public | $1,934 | 15,246 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | Las Cruces | Public | $8,147 | 11,561 |
| San Juan College | Farmington | Public | $1,790 | 4,228 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | Portales | Public | $6,863 | 3,186 |
| Santa Fe Community College | Santa Fe | Public | $2,145 | 2,234 |
| New Mexico Junior College | Hobbs | Public | $1,440 | 2,034 |
| Western New Mexico University | Silver City | Public | $7,868 | 1,935 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | Las Vegas | Public | $7,260 | 1,561 |
| Clovis Community College | Clovis | Public | $1,472 | 1,221 |
| Navajo Technical University | Crownpoint | Public | $4,250 | 1,134 |
| Northern New Mexico College | Espanola | Public | $6,400 | 859 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque | Albuquerque | For-Profit | N/A | 737 |
| Luna Community College | Las Vegas | Public | $1,202 | 459 |
| Southeast New Mexico College | Carlsbad | Public | $1,176 | 426 |
| Mesalands Community College | Tucumcari | Public | $2,136 | 357 |
| University of the Southwest | Hobbs | Private | $16,670 | 337 |
| Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute | Albuquerque | Public | $1,095 | 233 |
Nursing Schools by City in New Mexico
Nursing Guides & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in New Mexico?
What is the average nursing school tuition in New Mexico?
What is the average graduation rate for nursing schools in New Mexico?
What is the average retention rate in New Mexico?
What do graduates from nursing schools in New Mexico earn?
What is the average student debt at nursing schools in New Mexico?
How much do registered nurses earn in New Mexico?
What is the RN job outlook for New Mexico?
New Mexico Nursing Market Context
BLS data for New Mexico shows an RN median annual wage of $80,790 and a mean of $82,910. The 10th to 90th percentile range runs from $59,360 to $108,260. Statewide RN employment is approximately 17,180 and the projected growth rate is 7 percent — above the national 6 percent figure.
Median program debt of $12,878 against an $80,790 RN median wage produces one of the more favorable payback profiles in the country: very low debt combined with above-national-median wages. The lower graduation rates across New Mexico programs are worth weighing against that headline cost-and-earnings advantage when comparing specific programs. The 90th-percentile figure of $108,260 reflects what experienced New Mexico RNs can reach. Cost of living is below the national average, and rural-placement and Indian Health Service positions are a notable feature of the local employment market.