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2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in New Mexico

17 Colleges in the United States
1,446 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$71,216 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in New Mexico

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in New Mexico.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1

Central New Mexico Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 241 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $74,923 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,519. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Central New Mexico Community College

2

University Of New Mexico Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #2. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 462 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $84,023 early in their careers. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,404 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of New Mexico Main Campus

3

New Mexico Highlands University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #3. New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Las Vegas. About 27% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico Highlands University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from New Mexico Highlands University generally make around $88,137. New Mexico Highlands University graduates carry a median of $21,392 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from New Mexico Highlands University

4

New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Las Cruces. New Mexico State University Dona Ana awarded about 39 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $78,510 early in their careers. New Mexico State University Dona Ana graduates carry a median of $16,467 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from New Mexico State University Dona Ana

5
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at San Juan College, which ranked #5. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. About 47 registered nursing degrees were awarded at San Juan College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $67,860. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from San Juan College

6

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 137 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $75,870 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,484. Read more about the registered nursing program at New Mexico State University Main Campus

7

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Roswell. There were roughly 31 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $21,129 in their early career. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus

8

Carrington College Albuquerque came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Carrington College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Albuquerque. There were roughly 78 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College Albuquerque in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Carrington College Albuquerque generally make around $76,515. Students borrow a median of $32,969 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Carrington College Albuquerque

9

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Gallup. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus awarded about 16 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $71,767. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus graduates carry a median of $11,536 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus

10

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Portales. About 39% of students finish within six years. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus awarded about 33 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn around $90,938 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

11

University Of New Mexico Taos Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos, University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public institution. There were roughly 20 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Taos Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,767 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,536. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of New Mexico Taos Campus

12

New Mexico Junior College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. About 27 registered nursing degrees were awarded at New Mexico Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from New Mexico Junior College earn around $71,456 in the first couple years of their career. New Mexico Junior College graduates carry a median of $13,472 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for New Mexico Junior College

13

University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earned the #13 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Los Lunas, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public institution. About 11 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,767 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,536. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus

14

Northern New Mexico College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 31%. Northern New Mexico College awarded about 16 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. See the full registered nursing program report for Northern New Mexico College

15

Clovis Community College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 30 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Clovis Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $73,387 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,250. See the full registered nursing program report for Clovis Community College

16

Western New Mexico University landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Western New Mexico University graduates 26% of students within six years. About 20 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Western New Mexico University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Western New Mexico University earn around $73,666 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,088. See the full registered nursing program report for Western New Mexico University

17

Santa Fe Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Santa Fe Community College awarded about 33 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Santa Fe Community College earn around $79,098 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,074. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Santa Fe Community College

18

Luna Community College came in at #18 for registered nursing this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Las Vegas. There were roughly 19 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Luna Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Luna Community College generally make around $32,091. Get the full registered nursing details for Luna Community College

19

Brookline College Albuquerque landed the #19 spot for registered nursing this year. Brookline College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Albuquerque. Roughly 9% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brookline College Albuquerque awarded about 137 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Brookline College Albuquerque generally make around $78,980. Brookline College Albuquerque graduates carry a median of $41,937 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Brookline College Albuquerque

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 22 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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