Online Schools and Colleges in New Mexico

Online education in New Mexico is varied and provides education for students not only in college, but also for students in grades K-12. New Mexico is home to more than 35 accredited schools, including community colleges, public four-year schools, tribal colleges and universities and private schools. Almost all of those institutions offer something in the way of online learning, from single courses to full degrees on everything from the associate to doctoral level. Students in grades K-12 can earn credit from two fully-online schools, district programs, the state virtual school or community colleges offering dual enrollment.

Students in New Mexico paid an average of $7,924 for public tuition in the 2018-2019 school year. However, attending online public college or university could be free for some 55,000 in-state students in New Mexico beginning in the fall of 2020. In 2019, the legislature introduced the Opportunity Scholarship, which could provide free tuition to students at 29 state colleges and universities regardless of income. The program would cover in-state college expenses not paid for by the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship or federal loans and grants.

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

Known as the most populous city in the state, Albuquerque remains a vibrant home to 11 postsecondary institutions, including New Mexico’s flagship university. The state has shown an expansion of online learning options to serve its diverse student population and bridge the distances between urban centers.

Education matters in New Mexico. According to the Albuquerque Department of Economic Development, 24 percent of city residents have some training or post-secondary education beyond high school while 23 percent hold an associate or bachelor’s degree. Most impressively, the state has the highest concentration of PhDs in the country, and 11 percent of Albuquerque residents have attained a graduate degree.

You will find no shortage of online schools and colleges in New Mexico, which can make picking a degree confusing. To find the degree best suited for your career goals and interests follow this checklist:

Click on the icon below for more details about New Mexico’s online programs.

A college degree can offer a pathway to a better paying career. In New Mexico, college graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn $44,000 a year on average, which is $17,000 more than a high school graduate according to the 2013-2017 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau. Take a look at the graph below to get a better idea of what graduates earn by degree level nationwide.

New Mexico offers tuition that is cheaper than the national average. In-state public tuition and fees in New Mexico cost about $7,924 a year, compared to the national average of $9,037. The proposed Opportunity Scholarship would help in-state residents at public colleges. However, it still takes financial savvy to not go into debt, especially for out-of-state or private school students.

Review this graph to get a better understanding of the total cost of college in New Mexico and nationwide.

The tables listed above give a general sense of the cost of tuition in New Mexico compared to national averages. However, students should take other mandatory expenses into consideration including those listed below:

The New Mexico Higher Education Department sets the rules for in-state residency. Students can establish residency in New Mexico and receive in-state tuition after residing in the state for 12 consecutive months. Exemptions often apply to students in the military or students financially dependent on parents who live in New Mexico.

Colleges approve a student’s in-state residency after they submit supporting documents, such as proof of residing in the state for 12 months preceding the first day of the semester. Online students can sometimes receive in-state residency tuition without meeting these requirements. Many schools have reciprocity agreements that offer students in neighboring states discounted out-of-state tuition. Check with your school for specific in-state residency requirements.

Online college students can find interest-free financial aid from nonprofits, the state, and private institutions. Keep reading to find a sampling of some of the many scholarships and grants available to students in New Mexico.

Who Can Apply: Students pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate can receive this scholarship. The scholarship is open to nontraditional students who live in Quay County.

Amount: $1,200-$2,400

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP

Who Can Apply: This scholarship goes to New Mexico residents who have graduated from a local high school in the top 5% or can show proof of scoring a 25 on the ACT exam. Applicants also must meet income requirements.

Amount: Varies

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP

Who Can Apply: The Opportunity Scholarship improves on the New Mexico Legislature Lottery Scholarship to provide financial aid to students at one of the state’s 29 public colleges. There are no income requirements.

Amount: Varies

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP

Who Can Apply: Up to two students 25 years or older can win this scholarship named in honor of the Trythalls, who owned a staffing company. Applicants must live in Albuquerque and show proof of a 2.8 GPA.

Amount: $3,000

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP

Who Can Apply: This scholarship helps students aged 17-21 who grew up in the New Mexico foster care system. Applicants must show proof of a minimum of 2.5 GPA.

Amount: $1,000

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP

Who Can Apply: This grant goes to financially needy students attending a public college or university who cannot meet the requirements to receive other state grants. Applicants must take at least six credits per semester.

Amount: $1,000 per semester

APPLY FOR GRANT

Who Can Apply: The Graduate and Professional Student Association offers numerous research and professional grants for graduate students at the University of New Mexico to cover travel and materials associated with a research project.

Amount: Up to $5,000

APPLY FOR GRANT

Who Can Apply: Students attending college in New Mexico can receive financial aid if they agree to pursue a career in a high-need field after college. The New Mexico Higher Education Department offers numerous loan-for-service programs, including ones for future teachers or nurses.

Amount: Varies

APPLY FOR GRANT

FINANCIAL AID FOR ONLINE SCHOOLS

Accreditation serves multiple purposes. Students who attend an accredited college or university can rest assured that their education meets quality standards. With regional and national accreditation, an outside agency reviews the school’s curriculum and overall performance. Having regional accreditation, the more prestigious designation, also allows schools and students to receive federal and state financial aid. For-profit or vocation schools more frequently hold national accreditation.

Seven regional bodies recognized by the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee accreditation of private and public colleges and universities across the nation. In New Mexico, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) awards regional accreditation as a mark of quality, recognizing a school’s ability to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Professional organizations and independent organizations also evaluate programs and departments in New Mexico. For instance, chemistry programs may receive accreditation from the American Chemical Society. Similarly, the American Psychological Association accredits psychology programs. Students typically prefer degrees from programs that carry subject-specific accreditation since it guarantees that the curriculum meets professional standards.

If you believe that a program or school does not hold accreditation, you should do additional online research. Colleges and universities usually list accreditations online. However, if a school does not advertise its status, you can verify accreditation by searching the CHEA online directory, the Department of Education database, or the HLC website.

Out-of-state students or those living in rural areas can earn a degree by attending online classes. As you will see below, states and schools also offer numerous initiatives to help adult learners return to college.

Did you know that in New Mexico an estimated 64,864 residents hold a bachelor’s degree?

The Opportunity Scholarship could make New Mexico the 21st state to provide “tuition-free” degrees to adult learners.

Some 27% of residents in New Mexico hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, New Mexico Higher Education Department

Students in New Mexico can access countless online resources to help them at all stages of their college journey. Take a look below to find free online resources, including websites for financial aid opportunities, FAFSA workshops, and scholarships.