Best Online Colleges in New Mexico

Benefits of Studying Online in New Mexico

For those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city life, but still want convenient access to nature and a top-notch education, New Mexico may be for you. The Land of Enchantment is home to more than 2.1 million people, making it the 36th largest state by population. This Sunshine State is also the 5th largest land area, covering more than 121,000 square miles. People are often drawn to New Mexico for its rich culture, including its diverse cuisine, stunning deserts and vibrant Native American cultures. With the capitol of Santa Fe and the largest city being Albuquerque, New Mexico provides students with the opportunity to live in both metropolitan and rural areas.

Employment Stats

In terms of economic health, as of October 2022, New Mexico had 854,700 non-farm employees (the 37th most of any state), accounting for just 0.56% of the nation’s workforce. More than 25,000 new jobs were added since 2021, when the total tallied 829,500. This increase of 3.04% makes New Mexico the 25th fastest growing state from the standpoint of jobs added year over year. Although New Mexico may not be massive in size, it’s still slightly above average in terms of economic growth, and is expected to continue in the same trend, which will provide plenty of job opportunities for those graduating from school. That being said, in terms of gross opportunities, it actually has more than 1.1 million fewer people employed than the median state (57% less to be exact). However, just ahead of New Mexico, Idaho ranks in at #38 with 828,000 jobs, meaning that New Mexico tops Idaho by exactly 27,000 (3.24% difference). On the other hand Nebraska sits right at 36 with 1,039,000 employed individuals, marking New Mexico a deficit of 184,000 (17.7% less).

Job Opportunities

New Mexico is a great state to consider if you’re in the market for higher education. With more than 640 different occupations, the state ranks near the middle of the pack (37th) in terms of job quantity. That said, it still falls 11.4% below the national median of 722 occupations, so the job diversity may not be as expansive as some of the higher ranked states. That being said, opportunities do exist across the technology, healthcare, hospitality, and outdoor recreation markets, so those areas may be worth looking into.

New Mexico is a great place to start or continue your collegiate career with many highly ranked universities. The University of New Mexico is the state’s flagship university and one of the nation’s top universities. New Mexico State University is also a great choice, particularly for those interested in the sciences or engineering. Another option is the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, which has a focus on STEM-related fields. Finally, New Mexico is home to numerous Fortune 500 Companies, including McKesson, which is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical distributors.

Overall, the data shows that New Mexico is a great location to consider for studying, as its economy looks to increase in the years ahead and its employment opportunities are expected to continue to rise. The Land of Enchantment may not have the same high numbers as the nation's leading states (95% below the leader), but it does offer a unique and interesting combination of culture, nature and education for students looking to settle down, either temporarily or permanently.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)