New Mexico Highlands University — College Profile

About

New Mexico Highlands University is a public Hispanic-Serving Institution best known for its nationally recognized Facundo Valdez School of Social Work and strong programs in forestry, natural resource management, education, and media arts. Nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the university leverages its scenic location to offer students exceptional opportunities for hands-on field research and outdoor recreation. Campus culture is defined by intimate class sizes, dedicated faculty mentorship, and a close-knit community that celebrates northern New Mexico's rich Hispanic and Native American heritage. Renowned for its exceptional affordability and commitment to first-generation students, NMHU provides an accessible, career-focused education with high social mobility.

Wikipedia:New Mexico Highlands University is a public research university in Las Vegas, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 1893, it has satellite campuses in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Farmington and Roswell. NMHU has an average annual enrollment of approximately 3,000 students and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across six schools and colleges.

Location

Las Vegas, NM, 87701 · Town campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

ABQ · Albuquerque

87 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$7,416$12,336

Housing & food (on campus)$10,116$10,116

Books & supplies$1,158$1,158

Cost of attendance$20,868$25,788 est.

Average net price$14,838Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$12,336

In-state: $7,416

Housing & food (on campus)$10,116

Books & supplies$1,158

Cost of attendance$25,788 est.

In-state: $20,868

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $14,838

est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$13,511

$30–48k

$13,947

$48–75k

$15,175

$75–110k

$16,508

$110k+

$16,530

Your family's actual price → New Mexico Highlands University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2024-25

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$6,291

First-years who got one62

Source: New Mexico Highlands University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

26%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

Back for yr 2

50%

Transferred

30%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

27% graduated · 8% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 64% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$38,952

10 yrs after entry$45,937

Debt

Median at graduation$11,399

Monthly payment$121

Middle 50% owe$4.5k–$18.5k

90th percentile$25,000

Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay prompts

How much essays count at New Mexico Highlands University: Not considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: New Mexico Highlands University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If New Mexico Highlands University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body

Gender

Men 38%Women 62%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

10 : 1

Pell grant

45%

First-gen

45%

Family income

$24,029

Independent

50%

Age at entry

27.0

Part-time

36%

Race & ethnicity

White

17%

Hispanic

61%

Black

Two or more

Non-resident

AI/AN

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Cross Country
Men's
Football
Men's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women's
Volleyball
Women's
Wrestling
Men's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$38,952

After 10 yrs

$45,937

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods82

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions63

Business Administration, Management and Operations55

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing41

Psychology, General31

Special Education and Teaching21

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas21

Biology, General15

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities14

Criminal Justice and Corrections10

Political Science and Government9

English Language and Literature, General8

Forestry6

Computer and Information Sciences, General5

Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy4

Chemistry4

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$13M

Full-time faculty

78%

Faculty salary

$5,823/mo

Teaching spend

$11,748

per student

Federal loans

18%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (larger programs)

Research activity

Research college or university

$4M research spending

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, inclusive admissions