New Mexico Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
Becoming a licensed teacher in New Mexico requires completing a state-approved teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university. This guide offers essential details to help you evaluate the range of teaching programs available throughout New Mexico. On this page, you’ll find a comparison table of approved institutions plus carefully chosen lists of standout and budget-friendly options—all designed to help you choose a program that matches your personal and professional goals.
Table of Contents
- NM Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 4 Affordable NM Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked New Mexico Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- US News Best Graduate Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of New Mexico Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares seven New Mexico teacher preparation programs across key factors. All listed institutions are not-for-profit and approved by the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our New Mexico traditional certification guide and our New Mexico alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment 2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern New Mexico University | No | 380 | 53 | 66% | 332 | 75 | 81% | $9,922 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | Yes | 459 | 133 | 63% | 73 | 52 | 50% | $10,863 |
| New Mexico State University | Yes | 313 | 131 | 61% | 95 | 35 | 59% | $11,467 |
| Northern New Mexico College | Yes | 95 | 35 | 17% | 66 | 20 | 58% | $7,038 |
| University of New Mexico | Yes | 347 | 147 | 67% | 126 | 45 | 83% | $12,200 |
| University of the Southwest | No | 41 | 8 | N.Av. | 17 | 7 | N.Av. | $17,369 |
| Western New Mexico University | Yes | 535 | 63 | 44% | 50 | 34 | 56% | $13,172 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in New Mexico
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These four most affordable schools have a net price under $12,000.
- Northern New Mexico College ($7,038)
- Eastern New Mexico University ($9,922)
- New Mexico Highlands University ($10,863)
- New Mexico State University ($11,467)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in New Mexico
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in New Mexico
Our list of the top four bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- University of New Mexico (67%)
- Eastern New Mexico University (66%)
- New Mexico Highlands University (63%)
- New Mexico State University (61%)2
US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2025
- University of New Mexico (#81 tie)
- New Mexico State University (#210)4
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 22 New Mexico schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Central New Mexico Community College*
- Clovis Community College
- Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College
- Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus
- Luna Community College
- Mesalands Community College
- Navajo Technical University*
- New Mexico Highlands University*
- New Mexico Junior College*
- New Mexico State University-Alamogordo
- New Mexico State University-Carlsbad
- New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Community College
- New Mexico State University-Grants
- Northern New Mexico College*
- San Juan College*
- Santa Fe Community College*
- Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
- University of New Mexico-Gallup
- University of New Mexico-Los Alamos
- University of New Mexico-Taos
- University of New Mexico-Valencia
- Western New Mexico University*
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
4. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2025: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings