Best Grad Schools in New Mexico 2025

Badge for BEST IN NEW MEXICO GRADUATE SCHOOLS
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Updated:

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in New Mexico offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Key Takeaways

  • New Mexico’s top graduate schools offer strong research programs, especially in areas like energy, aerospace, and environmental science, with access to national laboratories and cutting-edge research facilities.
  • The best graduate schools in New Mexico emphasize interdisciplinary studies and provide a culturally rich environment, reflecting the state’s diverse heritage and offering unique opportunities for research in fields like anthropology, history, and social sciences.
  • The state’s unique geography offers graduate students hands-on opportunities for research in natural sciences, archaeology, and environmental studies, taking advantage of New Mexico’s varied landscapes for field-based learning.

Best Grad Schools in New Mexico

Sort by:
  1. University of New Mexico
  2. New Mexico State University
  3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
  4. University of the Southwest
  1. University of New Mexico
  2. New Mexico State University
  3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
  4. University of the Southwest
  1. University of New Mexico 96%
  2. New Mexico State University 78%
  3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 74%
  1. University of the Southwest 19 to 1
  2. University of New Mexico 17 to 1
  3. New Mexico State University 16 to 1
  4. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 9 to 1
  1. University of the Southwest $17,200
  2. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology $7,664
  3. University of New Mexico $6,803
  4. New Mexico State University $6,283
  1. University of the Southwest $22,500
  2. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology $8,005
  3. University of New Mexico $6,287
  4. New Mexico State University $5,184
  1. University of the Southwest
  2. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
  3. New Mexico State University
  4. University of New Mexico
  1. University of the Southwest
  2. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
  3. New Mexico State University
  4. University of New Mexico
  1. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 74%
  2. New Mexico State University 78%
  3. University of New Mexico 96%
  1. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 9 to 1
  2. New Mexico State University 16 to 1
  3. University of New Mexico 17 to 1
  4. University of the Southwest 19 to 1
  1. New Mexico State University $6,283
  2. University of New Mexico $6,803
  3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology $7,664
  4. University of the Southwest $17,200
  1. New Mexico State University $5,184
  2. University of New Mexico $6,287
  3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology $8,005
  4. University of the Southwest $22,500

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

There are no changes to our ranking of the best graduate schools in New Mexico for 2025. This was a result of all the schools in the ranking making similar improvements to their curriculum, internship opportunities, and other program features.

There are 4 doctorate-granting graduate schools in New Mexico. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the New Mexico is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

Best Grad Schools in New Mexico

  1. #1

    University of New Mexico

    Albuquerque , NM
    #1 Most Affordable Colleges in New Mexico 2025 #1 Best Research Universities in New Mexico 2024 #1 Best Colleges in New Mexico 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    24K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of New Mexico

    Cost of Degree: $8,115
    Expenses: $17,920
    Starting Salary: $43,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    The University of New Mexico features graduate programs for those who want to advance their careers. They have an aesthetic campus and focus on inclusion and diversity.

    What we love about the University of New Mexico:

    Excellence and integrity are some of the most important and well-emphasized values at the University of Mexico. Every graduate student has the opportunity to work alongside mentors and professors who are experts in their field.

    The University of New Mexico is ideal for students who:

    Want to attend a beautiful school.

    The University of New Mexico might not be the best fit for students who:

    Are hoping to commute as parking fees can be high.

    Compare school
  2. #2

    New Mexico State University

    Las Cruces , NM
    #2 Most Affordable Colleges in New Mexico 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in New Mexico 2024 #2 Best Colleges in New Mexico 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in New Mexico 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/20

    Career Outlook for degree at New Mexico State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,147
    Expenses: $17,964
    Starting Salary: $40,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Level up your skills and knowledge in your industry when you enroll in the graduate programs available at New Mexico State University. They boast of 12 research and science centers and offer on-campus, hybrid, and online programs.

    What we love about New Mexico State University:

    New Mexico State University is known for offering the best value education for graduate students. They push for students to pursue innovative research activities.

    New Mexico State University is ideal for students who:

    Want to make an impact through research.

    New Mexico State University might not be the best fit for students who:

    Want to study on a campus that is more updated and modern.

    Compare school
  3. #3

    New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

    Socorro , NM
    #16 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #2 Best Small Colleges in New Mexico 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Mexico 2025 #3 Best Colleges in New Mexico 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

    Cost of Degree: $9,058
    Expenses: $16,142
    Starting Salary: $58,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    If you are interested in studying in the STEM fields, you can gain valuable skills through the graduate programs offered by the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Most of the graduate students are engaged in dissertations and theses in diverse areas of study.

    What we love about the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology:

    Scientists, leaders, and engineers make up the graduates of New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology graduate schools. The school makes sure to equip students to contribute to the solutions of modern challenges.

    New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology is ideal for students who:

    Want to participate in research initiatives and projects.

    New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer to have smaller-sized classes.

    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of the Southwest

    Hobbs , NM
    #2 Best Private Colleges in New Mexico 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in New Mexico 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Mexico 2025 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of the Southwest

    Cost of Degree: $16,670
    Starting Salary: $41,000

    Focused on Christian values and leadership development, the University of the Southwest is a private research university with excellent graduate programs. The community of learners is small, giving you access to a family environment.

    What we love about the University of the Southwest:

    Professors and mentors at the University of the Southwest are hands-on when it comes to supporting graduate students as they become the future leaders of societies. Their approach to teaching and learning is rooted in service and faith.

    The University of the Southwest is ideal for students who:

    Want to attend a Christian university.

    The University of the Southwest might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer to attend a bigger school.

    Compare school
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New Mexico’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of New Mexico
  2. New Mexico State University
  3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
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