Explore why New Mexico State University is consistently ranked among the nation's top university

A land-grant institution that excels in teaching, research and public service, NMSU searches for innovation in classrooms, laboratories and throughout our communities. We deliver solutions for the future and create change.

Spring 2022 Commencement

U.S. News & World Report

A top-tier university

For the ninth time in the last 10 years, New Mexico State University has been recognized as a top-tier university. The rankings are based on an  assessment of excellence, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance,  and alumni giving. Read more.


National Science Foundation

No. 1 in the nation among peers for science and engineering funding

NMSU leads all of America’s minority-serving institutions in federal obligations for science and engineering activities, according to a report from the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. Read more.


Brookings Institution

No. 2 nationally for research and improving lives

NMSU has been listed as a leader in equal access to higher education, according to a report that gave NMSU the second-highest score in the nation as a public university that provides opportunities for social mobility to students and produces valuable research. Read more.


U.S. News & World Report

Graduate programs earn national distinction

Several NMSU graduate programs have been recognized U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools 2022 rankings. Graduate programs in the College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Business, College of Health and Social Services and College of Arts and Sciences were ranked in 2021. Read more.


U.S. News & World Report

Online programs among the nation’s best

Numerous NMSU programs have been ranked on the latest U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Education Programs list offered by U.S. National Universities. NMSU is tied for 37th in criminal justice online master’s programs, a 13-spot improvement from a year ago. The business online bachelor’s programs at NMSU rank tied for 51st. NMSU’s online master’s programs in engineering were recognized and listed in the 79th to 104th range. Read more.


Abound

More accolades for the Graduate School

New Mexico State University has been recognized as one of Abound’s 2021 Top Grad School Programs. NMSU qualified based on factors that focus on the needs of non-traditional students, including flexible classes and services, affordable courses, a range of quality programs, and degrees that help students advance in their field. Read more.


Carnegie Foundation

New Mexico’s only Community Engagement Classification recipient

In recognition of its institutional commitment to serving communities across the state, NMSU received a 2015 Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.  Read more.


Brookings Institute

Boosting economic earnings with the nation’s best

A recent Brookings Institute report places NMSU in the top 10 percent for value-added mid-career salary. NMSU was listed as 89th of 863 institutions across the nation for value added mid-career earnings, which is the difference between a college’s predicted and actual student economic outcomes.  Read more.


Business Insider

One of the 50 most underrated colleges in America

NMSU ranks as 42nd on Business Insider’s list of most underrated colleges in America, based on reputation and future earnings. Read more.


Social Mobility Index

Ranked in the top 12 percent for improving students’ social mobility

According to CollegeNET’s Social Mobility Index ranking, NMSU ranks in the top 12 percent for schools that help improve their students’ economic status. The rankings are based on tuition, economic background, graduation rate, early career salary and endowment. Read more.


Forbes

Consistently listed among America’s Top Colleges

Forbes again has recognized NMSU as one of America’s Top Colleges in 2021,  the highest-ranking institution in New Mexico. Read more.


Center for World University Rankings

Ranked among the top 4 percent of global institutions

The 2018/19 Center for World University Rankings place NMSU in the top 4.3 percent of institutions of higher education worldwide. With 18,000 degree-granting institutions of higher education worldwide evaluated, NMSU ranked 770th and earned a national rank of 184th this year. Read more.


The Hispanic Outlook for Higher Education

A top 100 university for Hispanics

NMSU has been recognized on the Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics list published in the 2021 issue of The Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine.  Read more.


Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

A leader in awarding degrees to Hispanics and Native Americans

NMSU is a leading university for awarding degrees to minority students. In several disciplines, NMSU ranks among the top 10 nationally for bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic and Native American students. Read more.


G.I. Jobs magazine

One of America’s most military-friendly universities

New Mexico State University is a top 50 Military Friendly school in degree programs within areas of telecommunications and security/corrections, according to G.I. Jobs magazine. Military Friendly schools represent the top tier of institutions that provide the best educational opportunities for military service members and their dependents. NMSU has been designated a Military Friendly school since 2010. Read more.