Top 10 Cheapest Colleges in New Mexico (2025)

Tuition costs seem to keep climbing, but earning a degree doesn't have to break the bank. Many colleges and universities offer affordable tuition.

Below, we've listed the ten cheapest colleges in New Mexico so you can earn your degree at a price you can afford.

Top Cheap Colleges in New Mexico

There are over a dozen colleges and universities in New Mexico that offer bachelor's degree programs. We've listed the ten cheapest colleges in New Mexico below in alphabetical order.

Please note that tuition prices are estimated and subject to change.

1. Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University is a public university in Portales, New Mexico. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.

Bachelor's degrees are available in areas of study like:

• Anthropology
• Biology
• Communications
• Electronics Engineering Technology

New Mexico residents pay a tuition of $2,097 per semester or $4,194 per year. Non-residents pay a tuition of $3,087 per semester or $6,174 per year.

2. Institute of American Indian Arts

The Institute of American Indian Arts is a public tribal land-grant college in Santa Fe, New Mexico that focuses on Native American art.

It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees primarily online. Students can earn bachelor's degrees with majors such as:

• Cinematic Arts and Technology
• Creative Writing
• Indigenous Liberal Studies
• Museum Studies

Tuition at the Institute of American Indian Arts comes to $5,166 per year for students earning 12-18 credits per semester.

3. Navajo Technical University

Navajo Technical University is a public tribal university in Crownpoint, New Mexico. It offers associate through master's degrees on campus and online.

Bachelor's degrees are available in fields like:

• Arts and Humanities
• Business
• Engineering, Math, and Technology
• Science

Students who are enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe pay $1,800 per year, while students who are not pay a tuition of $3,600 per year.

4. New Mexico Highlands University

New Mexico Highlands University is a public university in Las Vegas, New Mexico. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in person and online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees in areas of study such as:

• Business
• Education
• Media and Technology
• Social Work

Tuition for New Mexico residents who are full-time students is $7,104 per year, while non-resident students pay a tuition of about $12,024 per year.

5. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, known as New Mexico Tech, is a public university in Socorro, New Mexico. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees mainly in person.

Bachelor's degrees are available in fields like:

• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Management
• Science

Full-time students who are New Mexico residents pay a tuition of $9,228 per year, while non-resident full-time students pay $26,482 per year.

6. New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University is a public research university in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It offers bachelor's master's and doctoral programs on campus and online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees in fields like:

• Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences
• Arts
• Engineering
• Health, Education, and Social Transformation

Tuition for in-state residents is $8,458 per year, while tuition for non-residents is $26,784 per year.

7. Northern New Mexico College

Northern New Mexico College is a public college in Espa?ola, New Mexico. It offers associate and bachelor's degrees in person and online.

Bachelor's degrees are available in areas of study such as:

• Business
• Education
• Liberal Arts
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

New Mexico residents studying 12-18 credits a semester pay $2532 per semester or $5,064 per year. Non-residents pay $7,164 per semester or $14,328 a year.

Senior residents and residents of certain nearby states may be eligible for tuition discounts.

8. University of the Southwest

The University of the Southwest is a private Christian university located in Hobbs, NM. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.

Bachelor's degrees are available in fields like:

• Business
• Education
• Health Sciences
• Social Sciences

Tuition at the University of the Southwest is $549 per credit for undergraduate programs. Full-time students can expect to pay a tuition of at least $13,176 per year before additional fees.

9. University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico is a public research university in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online.

Bachelor's degrees are available in areas of study such as:

• Business
• Education
• Engineering
• Humanities

New Mexico residents pay a tuition of $11,126 per year, while non-residents pay a tuition of roughly $34,045.

10. Western New Mexico University

Western New Mexico University is a public university in Silver City, New Mexico. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in person and online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees in fields like:

• Business
• Education
• Humanities
• Social Sciences

Tuition for resident students is $3,933.84 per semester for 12 credits or $7,867.68 per year. Non-residents pay $7,177.08 per semester for 12 credits or $14,354.16 per year.

How Much Will a College Degree Cost?

According to the Education Data Initiative, New Mexico students can expect to pay $16,193 per year for tuition, fees, room, and board at a public university.

However, this number can vary depending on which school you choose, the financial aid you qualify for, and whether you live on campus or at home.

How To Make College Affordable

One of the best ways to make college affordable is to fill out your Federal Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) so you can qualify for federal aid.

Many students use things like grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs to lower their college costs.

Do Cheap Colleges in New Mexico Offer High-Quality Education?

Just because a college is cheap, doesn't mean it's not high-quality. Many of the programs listed above are excellent for students, and all are accredited.

In-State Vs. Out-of-State Tuition Rates

Often, colleges and universities, especially public ones, offer a lower tuition rate for in-state students. Sometimes online students will be offered the same rate.

Some New Mexico schools participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, which offers discounted tuition to students in the following states:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Find an Affordable College in New Mexico Today

Several colleges and universities in New Mexico offer affordable tuition.

There are also affordable online colleges around the U.S.

Check out the programs listed above to find the perfect match for you today!