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Leading the list is Aveda Institute - New Mexico, our #1 most economically diverse college in New Mexico. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 41.9, alongside a 28.7 gender-diversity score.
by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. This list highlights 41 colleges that stand out for their student bodies in New Mexico, using our 2026 methodology.
Our ranking weighs the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 41 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Diversity means different things to different students. Refine the list by location, or explore the overall, racial-ethnic, gender, economic, and age diversity rankings, or other rankings below.
Ready to build your own comparison? Try our tool College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Learn more about these economically diverse colleges below:
Leading the list is Aveda Institute - New Mexico, our #1 most economically diverse college in New Mexico. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 41.9, alongside a 28.7 gender-diversity score.
Glitz School of Cosmetology - Santa Fe Campus earned the #2 place in New Mexico. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity.
A rank of #3 makes New Mexico State University-Dona Ana one of the most economically diverse colleges in New Mexico. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 45.0, and gender diversity 97.0.
A rank of #4 makes New Mexico Highlands University one of the most economically diverse colleges in New Mexico. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 64.3, with a gender-diversity score of 91.2.
Northern New Mexico College came in at #5 on this year's Most Economically Diverse Colleges ranking in New Mexico. It scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 50.6, with a gender-diversity score of 98.4.
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute earned the #6 position in New Mexico. It scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 0.0, and gender diversity 97.3.
Brookline College-Albuquerque earned the #7 position in New Mexico. Brookline College-Albuquerque scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 63.0, with a gender-diversity score of 58.7.
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development landed the #8 spot in New Mexico this year. Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 58.4, alongside a 95.3 gender-diversity score.
San Juan College earned the #9 position in New Mexico. It scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 65.3, with a gender-diversity score of 91.3.
A Better U Beauty Barber Academy came in at #10 in this year's ranking. The school's economic diversity score is 99.5 out of 100.
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus earned the #11 position in New Mexico. Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 69.1, with a gender-diversity score of 92.5.
University of the Southwest earned the #12 position in New Mexico. University of the Southwest scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 63.8, alongside a 91.2 gender-diversity score.
Clovis Community College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. On economic diversity, it scores 99.0 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 55.7, with a gender-diversity score of 90.1.
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo placed #14 among the most economically diverse colleges in New Mexico. On economic diversity, it scores 99.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 56.8, and gender diversity 93.0.
New Mexico State University-Grants ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 99.0 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 61.7, with a gender-diversity score of 93.5.
Western New Mexico University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. The school's economic diversity score is 98.2 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 63.4, alongside a 91.4 gender-diversity score.
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Albuquerque ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 97.7 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 52.8, and gender diversity 52.8.
Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque placed #18 among the most economically diverse colleges in New Mexico. The school's economic diversity score is 97.7 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 61.9, with a gender-diversity score of 67.6.
University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus landed the #19 spot in New Mexico this year. On economic diversity, it scores 97.7 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 54.2, alongside a 97.0 gender-diversity score.
New Mexico State University-Main Campus placed #20 among the most economically diverse colleges in New Mexico. On economic diversity, it scores 97.1 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.2, and gender diversity 97.7.
Luna Community College earned the #21 position in New Mexico. On economic diversity, it scores 96.5 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 37.8, alongside a 96.1 gender-diversity score.
University of New Mexico-Main Campus earned the #22 position in New Mexico. On economic diversity, it scores 96.5 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 67.2, and gender diversity 98.5.
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus scores 95.8 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 58.1, with a gender-diversity score of 98.6.
Carrington College-Albuquerque ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 95.1 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 59.1, alongside a 91.4 gender-diversity score.
University of New Mexico-Taos Campus earned the #25 position in New Mexico. University of New Mexico-Taos Campus scores 94.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.6, and gender diversity 94.9.
Not far behind, these colleges also rank among the most economically diverse this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
We measure this ranking on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). The racial-ethnic minorities percentage is calculated by taking the total number of students, subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity is unknown, and dividing by total enrollment.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.