8 Best Colleges and Universities Near Rio Rancho, NM

Rio Rancho, New Mexico's third-largest city that is part of northern metropolitan Albuquerque, straddles Sandoval County and Bernalillo County.

If you live in Rio Rancho, you know that the city is applauded for its high quality of life, low crime rate, and respected school system.

Located in northern New Mexico's high desert, many would call Rio Rancho an idyllic location from which to engage in all the recreational and cultural activities that this unique land and its multiple cultures, including the many Native American pueblos, have to offer.

Northern New Mexico provides a range of educational opportunities, both public and private, for residents as well as those coming from out of state.

Let's look at the universities and colleges near Rio Rancho, NM.

Featured Colleges Near Rio Rancho, NM

In this section, we highlight the universities and colleges near Rio Rancho, NM, that offer bachelor's degrees or higher.

1. Brookline College-Albuquerque

At its non-residential campus in the city of Albuquerque, Brookline College is a private, for-profit college that awards certificates, associate, and bachelor's degrees, almost all in health professions and nursing.

Serving 528 enrolled students, its student-to-faculty ratio is 18 to 1. 86% of students are women.

Demographically, 58% of students are Latino and 21% white, with three out of four students being age 25 or above. The graduation rate is an admirable 64%

2. Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development

The tribal college, Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development (IAIA), is a public college located on a rural residential campus near Santa Fe.

It offers certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.

With 800 undergraduate students, IAIA's student-to-faculty ratio is an admirable 9 to 1. Two-thirds of students enroll part-time.

Retention of first-year students is an excellent 79%, but the graduation rate drops to a low 27%, with another 25% transferring out.

Bachelor's degrees awarded in 2022 included fine & studio arts, museum studies, creative writing, and Native American studies.

Demographics are 46% Native American, 29% Latino, 13% white, and 9% multiracial. Only 10% enroll exclusively in online courses.

3. University of New Mexico

A central feature of the city of Albuquerque, the main campus of the public University of New Mexico is only 12 miles from Rio Rancho and offers certificates, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Fifteen percent of students take classes exclusively online.

Campus housing is available to serve a portion of its 22,000 students (of whom 16,400 are undergraduates). The student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1. 50% of students are Latino, 29% are white, and 6% are Native American.

Eighty percent are New Mexico residents.

UNM has a healthy 72% first-year retention rate and a 52% graduation rate.

The most awarded degree fields were business, health professions, psychology, social sciences, and visual and performing arts.

4. Carrington College-Albuquerque

Carrington College is a private, for-profit two-year college in Albuquerque where a student can earn a certificate or associate degree in health professions.

With no campus housing, it serves around 400 students, with an 18:1 student-faculty ratio.

86% of students are female. Demographically, 55% are Latino, 18% Native American, and 15% white.

Two-thirds are aged 25 and over, and 95% are in-state. The retention rate is 66%, with a 57% graduation rate.

5. Central New Mexico Community College

This very large public community college in Albuquerque awards certificates and associate degrees, with no campus housing for its 19,100 students. The student-faculty ratio is 20:1.

Student demographics are 54% Latino, 26% white, and 7% Native American. 60% of students are age 24 or under. About 41% are enrolled exclusively in online courses.

Popular fields of study are liberal studies, health services business fields, biology, communication, computer and information sciences, pre-engineering, and criminal justice.

6. Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fee Community College is the city's two-year, public college where you can earn certificates and associate degrees. Its small, nonresidential campus serves 3266 undergraduates, with a student-faculty ratio of 11 to 1. 80% of students enroll part-time.

Student demographics are 52% Latino, 31% white, and 7% Native American, with half the students aged 25 or above. Only 14% take only online classes.

7. Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

If you are a Native American student, you can earn certificates or associate degrees at the two-year, public tribal college in suburban Albuquerque, which also has campus housing. It enrolls 300-500 undergraduate students.

Two-thirds of students come from New Mexico and another third from out-of-state. The student population is 100% Native American and about evenly divided between traditional and non-traditional-aged college students.

Only 3% are exclusively engaged in online courses.

8. University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus

Located in Los Lunas, the Valencia campus of the public UNM awards certificates and associate degrees, although it has no campus housing.

Attended by just under 2,000 students, it has a 19:1 student-faculty ratio.

Enrollment is mostly part-time among the students, who are two-thirds Latino and 21% white.

Eighty percent are age 24 and under, and 76% are enrolled exclusively in distance education courses.

Other Colleges Available

For students looking to study more than an hour away from Rio Rancho, here are some great options.

St. John's College

With a residential rural campus located near Santa Fe, St. John's College is a private not-for-profit school where you could earn a bachelor's or master's degree.

It serves a small student population of less than 400 undergraduates, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.

The student population is 66% white, 11% Latino, and 13% international students. Eighty percent of students come from out-of-state. St. John's does not offer distance education.

The retention rate is a solid 74%, while the graduation rate is 72%, showing student satisfaction.

All bachelor's degrees in 2022 were in the liberal arts and sciences.

New Mexico State University-Grants

The non-residential Grants campus of New Mexico State University is a remote campus serving only 825 undergraduates, with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio.

Certificates and associate degrees are available.

Most students enroll part-time in online courses and programs.

The student demographics in Grants are 46% Latino, 31% Native American, and 17% white. They reflect a student body that is two-thirds traditional age and the rest over 25.

What Is the Biggest School Near Rio Rancho, NM?

The four-year school with the largest number of undergraduates is the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, although the two-year Central New Mexico Community College enrolls several thousand more students each year.

How To Choose the Right College Near Rio Rancho, NM

When you're trying to choose the right college near Rio Rancho, NM, it will come down to which school appeals to you, at several levels.

You might be looking for a campus close to home so you can commute. However, if you're looking for a residential campus, you'll probably find beautiful campuses lure you in.

On the other hand, if you're seeking to study a particular subject, you'll want to look closely at the major degree programs.

Otherwise, you might want to find a school with online bachelor's degree programs.

Paying for Your Degree Near Rio Rancho, NM

Almost all students receive significant financial aid at almost every university, so never turn away because of a school's 'sticker price.'

Be sure to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA form, and consult with your school's financial aid office to maximize your aid.

Start Your Degree Near Rio Rancho, NM, Today

The universities and colleges near Rio Rancho, NM, can provide you with many opportunities for personal growth, learning, and an enjoyable lifestyle.