PRESS RELEASE: N.M. college enrollment increases for fourth consecutive year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Auriella Ortiz

Auriella.Ortiz@hed.nm.gov

(505) 467-9605

November 19, 2025

N.M. college enrollment increases for fourth consecutive year

SANTA FE – College enrollment has increased in New Mexico for the fourth consecutive year, the New Mexico Higher Education Department announced today, according to preliminary fall enrollment data from universities throughout the state.

There are 4,016 new students pursuing a degree in the fall 2025 semester, up 3.6% from the fall 2024 semester, bringing the total number of degree-seeking students in New Mexico to 113,991.

College enrollment in New Mexico has increased each year since the fall 2021 semester and 13.6% total over that four-year timeframe, representing 13,727 additional students.

“New Mexico’s commitment to expansive and inclusive free tuition is proving successful,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez . “The intent of this policy has always been to remove debt as a barrier to higher education for the thousands of New Mexicans who want to further their education and career and better provide for their families and communities. More and more New Mexicans every year are seizing the opportunity.”

Enrollment in the fall 2025 semester increased across every higher education sector in New Mexico: more students are attending research universities (3.3 %), comprehensive universities (0.9 %), branch community colleges (6.5 %) and independent community colleges (3.4 %).

Enrollment increases were seen at nearly every public institution across the state, including the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and Central New Mexico Community College, the state’s three largest public colleges.

The largest increases by percentage were seen at the University of New Mexico branch campus at Gallup (16.4 %), Northern New Mexico College (12.4 %), and the University of New Mexico branch campus in Valencia County (11.8 %).

For more information about the Opportunity Scholarship and Lottery Scholarship, visit ReachHigherNM.com .

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The New Mexico Higher Education Department was established in 2005 and oversees the state’s public and tribal colleges, universities and special schools. It also oversees adult education and literacy programs statewide, manages state-funded financial aid programs and capital projects for higher education institutions, provides college readiness services via the GEAR UP program, and grants state authorization to private colleges operating within New Mexico. For more information, visit hed.nm.gov or follow us on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn at @NMHigherEd. To learn more about tuition-free college via New Mexico’s Opportunity and Lottery scholarships, visit reachhighernm.com .