New Mexico college enrollment increases for fourth year in a row

Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez attributed the increases to New Mexico’s free tuition. The state’s Opportunity Scholarship — established in 2020 — covers up to 100% of tuition and required fees for New Mexico residents who attend the state’s 29 colleges and universities, with no income requirements. The Higher Education Department last month estimated more than 41,000 students were receiving financial aid through the scholarship.

“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,” Rodriguez said, according to the release. “More and more New Mexicans every year are seizing the opportunity.”

In all, 113,991 students are seeking degrees in New Mexico.

The new enrollment data comes on the heels of the release of President Donald Trump’s plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, which has left New Mexico and other states bracing for a still-uncertain impact. The Land of Enchantment relies on federal education money more than most other states, The New Mexican reported Wednesday.

UNM spokesperson Ben Cloutier told The New Mexican on Wednesday the school — the largest in the state — is “carefully reviewing recent actions by the U.S. Department of Education and potential implications for our institution.” New Mexico’s flagship university has previously stated it received about $383 million in direct and indirect federal funding in 2024.

Enrollment at both UNM’s main campus in Albuquerque and its branch campuses increased in the fall 2025 semester. The Gallup campus has 1,769 students, according to the school.

“The increase in enrollment at UNM Gallup is due to a concerted effort to increase enrollment with local adult learners and dual and concurrent enrollment students at local high schools, as well as an increase in online offerings that have allowed students from across the state to enroll in UNM Gallup courses,” Cloutier wrote in an email.

UNM’s branch campus in Valencia County, meanwhile, saw the third greatest percentage increase in new student fall enrollment with an 11.8% bump, according to the Higher Education Department. This campus has 1,390 students.

The second greatest increase happened at Northern New Mexico College in Española, where 1,558 students total are enrolled, according to its fall 2025 enrollment report.

Enrollment surges were seen at nearly every college and university in New Mexico, according to the state news release. It also grew across all the higher education sectors: 3.3% more students are attending research universities, 0.9% more are attending comprehensive universities, 6.5% more are attending branch community colleges and 3.4% more are attending independent community colleges, according to the release.