[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-4″]New Mexico is home to more than 40 colleges and universities, nearly all of which offer online course options.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online schools in New Mexico offer programs that align with the state’s key industries and national projections for employment growth. New Mexico has strong bioscience, sustainable energy and agriculture, and cybersecurity industries, which reflects the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm/”]list of fastest-growing occupations[/hen-ui-link] in the state.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With employers increasingly [hen-ui-link href=”https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/recovery-job-growth-and-education-requirements-through-2020/#full-report/”]seeking job candidates[/hen-ui-link] with college degrees, enrolling in an online institution in New Mexico can provide opportunities for career success. Community colleges in New Mexico offer [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.clovis.edu/programs/online-programs.aspx/”]online degrees[/hen-ui-link] in areas like computer information systems, business, and [hen-ui-link href=”https://online.cnm.edu/”]criminal justice[/hen-ui-link], while four-year institutions provide online learning opportunities across academic disciplines.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.hacu.net/assnfe/CompanyDirectory.asp?STYLE=2&COMPANY_TYPE=1%2C5#New%20Mexico”]Nearly 20[/hen-ui-link] colleges and universities in New Mexico are Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities members and designated as [hen-ui-link href=”https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/”]Hispanic-Serving Institutions[/hen-ui-link]. With academic programs, student services, and resources specifically in place to assist Hispanic learners, colleges in New Mexico can help all students thrive as they earn their degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Colleges in New Mexico[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Employment in New Mexico[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In New Mexico, a thriving sustainable energy and agriculture industry offers extensive employment opportunities for graduates with relevant degrees. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm/”]BLS identifies[/hen-ui-link] wind turbine service technicians and solar photovoltaic installers as two of the fastest-growing occupations in the state for 2019-2029.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://gonm.biz/why-new-mexico/key-industries/”]Other growth industries[/hen-ui-link] in New Mexico include aerospace and defense, global trade, biosciences, and cybersecurity. Positions in these industries include information security analysts, data scientists, and operations research analysts.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Mexico residents benefit from a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/newmexico/”]cost of living [/hen-ui-link]below the national average. In New Mexico, the cost of living is 88.4, with health and housing costs at even lower rates compared to the national averages.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to this lower cost of living, New Mexico has also seen a decline in its unemployment rate through 2020, especially as it begins to recover from coronavirus. In July, unemployment in New Mexico reached nearly 13%, but fell to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.nm.htm/”]8.2% in December[/hen-ui-link] of 2020.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Below are a few of the highest-paying roles employing more than 750 individuals in New Mexico. Salary information applies specifically to New Mexico, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Popular Careers in New Mexico[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2019)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Physicists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nm.htm/”]$166,720[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/physicists-and-astronomers.htm/”]7%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nm.htm/”]$107,830[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/wholesale-and-manufacturing-sales-representatives.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]High School Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nm.htm/”]$89,090[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm/”]6%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Calibration Technologists and Technicians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nm.htm/”]$87,730[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm/”]2%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Tutors and Teachers and Instructors[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nm.htm/”]$58,860[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm/”]7%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nm.htm/”]$57,350[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/securities-commodities-and-financial-services-sales-agents.htm/”]5%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nm.htm/”]$53,670[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/property-real-estate-and-community-association-managers.htm/”]0%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]High School Diploma[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nm.htm/”]BLS[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Online Associate and Graduate Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities across the United States have expanded online offerings to accommodate students. In New Mexico, some colleges and universities use the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ed2go.com/sfccnm/”]ed2go system[/hen-ui-link] to provide extensive online course options.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Along with individual classes, institutions such as [hen-ui-link href=”https://online.cnm.edu/en/en/degreesall/”]Central New Mexico Community College[/hen-ui-link] (CNM) and [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.clovis.edu/programs/online-programs.aspx/”]Clovis Community College[/hen-ui-link] (CCC) offer online associate degrees in business administration and criminal justice. An [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]online associate degree[/hen-ui-link] in New Mexico provides a solid foundation for entry-level careers and [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transfer-credits-online-colleges/”]continued study[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online associate degrees cover many topics. For example, the online associate of applied science in business administration at CNM builds fundamental accounting, finance, and marketing knowledge and skills. CCC’s online associate of applied science in criminal justice integrates coursework in juvenile justice, corrections, and criminal investigations and procedures.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online graduate degrees in New Mexico also span disciplines such as business, healthcare, engineering, and criminal justice. University of New Mexico (UNM) offers an [hen-ui-link href=”http://online.unm.edu/online-degrees/business-administration-mba.html/”]online master of business administration[/hen-ui-link] degree that learners can complete in just 16 months.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Similarly, Western New Mexico University’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://mba.wnmu.edu/information/”]online master’s degree in business[/hen-ui-link] administration allows enrollees to concentrate their studies in international business, management information systems, healthcare administration, and instructional technology and design.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Mexico State University offers an online master of criminal justice degree that mirrors its on-campus offering. [hen-ui-link href=”https://online.nmsu.edu/degree-programs/Masters/Master%20of%20Criminal%20Justice.html/”]Enrollees can pursue[/hen-ui-link] a curriculum that leads to careers in teaching and research, administrative positions within the criminal justice system, and doctoral studies.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is College Free in New Mexico?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] ​ [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/18/us/new-mexico-free-college-tuition.html/”]In 2019[/hen-ui-link], New Mexico announced a plan to offer free college to state residents. The state revised this plan in 2020, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-mexico-promised-its-students-free-college-then-oil-prices-n1249076/”]passing a program[/hen-ui-link] that provides financial assistance to residents enrolled in two-year programs at public institutions in New Mexico.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How Long Do You Have To Live in New Mexico To Get In-State Tuition?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] ​ [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To qualify for in-state tuition in New Mexico, individuals must reside in the state for [hen-ui-link href=”https://hed.state.nm.us/financial-aid/residency-requirements/”]12 consecutive months[/hen-ui-link]. Each student must be financially independent and submit a letter relinquishing residency in any other state.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How Much Does Online College in New Mexico Usually Cost?”] ​ [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online tuition in New Mexico varies by institution and program. Additional considerations include county of residence, state residency, and the number of credits an individual takes each semester.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Does UNM Offer Online Degrees?”] ​ [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]UNM offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees online, with additional online certificates available. UNM also offers accelerated online programs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Melissa Sartore” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Melissa Sartore holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her BA and MA in history are from Western Illinois University. A medievalist by training, she has published on outlawry in medieval England with additional publications on outlaws in popular culture and across geographic and historical boundaries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”1244,164,230″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]