Which New Mexico nursing schools actually get graduates through the NCLEX-RN on the first try? That figure outweighs any brochure: without a pass, there is no RN license.
The programs below are ordered by first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, with accreditation and completion breaking ties. Results run from 100% at Western New Mexico University's BSN to the high 80s, and community college ADN programs led by Santa Fe and Clovis crowd the top tier.
That tracks with New Mexico's shared NMNEC curriculum, which aligns ADN and BSN training, so cost and location often matter more than degree level.
10 New Mexico Nursing Programs With the Best NCLEX-RN Outcomes
Every program below is ordered by NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate from the New Mexico Board of Nursing's most recent three reporting years, weighted by the number of first-time test takers, so a perfect rate from a small cohort does not outrank a strong rate earned by a large one. Accreditation status, completion, and retention settle ties. The ten programs reach well beyond Albuquerque, from Silver City and Las Cruces to Carlsbad, Hobbs, Farmington, Española, Santa Fe, and Portales, giving future nurses options close to home in nearly every corner of the state.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates first
- Student retention and completion
- Accreditation and state approval
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Net price and typical debt
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Original research on individual programs
- In-house program catalog data
Western New Mexico University
#1Silver City, NM · ~$9,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100%
Best for: Working RNs in rural New Mexico
Western New Mexico University posted a perfect first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in the board's most recent reporting year, though on a small cohort of 18 first-time test takers. The Silver City campus offers a pre-licensure BSN built on the statewide NMNEC curriculum, and its RN to BSN lets working nurses finish a bachelor's degree from wherever they live. Admission to the pre-licensure track is selective and requires a separate nursing application plus the ATI TEAS. Institution-wide, about 32% of students graduate within the standard reporting window, so the university's advising and support services matter here.
- Campus pre-licensure BSN in Silver City
- Participates in the NMNEC statewide common nursing curriculum
- Separate School of Nursing application after university admission
- Fall applicants apply February 15 through May 15
- Admission uses GPA plus a proctored ATI TEAS test
- Minimum ATI TEAS score of 64% for admission
- Received $55,000 in 2026 state funding to expand nursing
- CCNE accredited per program materials
- 120 total credit hours
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Accepts A.D.N. or diploma graduates
- Active unencumbered RN license required
- No time limit on prior nursing degree
- Transfer lower division nursing credits
- CPR certification required before clinicals
Clovis Community College
#2Clovis, NM · under $5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Career changers starting with an associate degree
Clovis Community College pairs an ACEN-accredited associate degree with one of the largest NCLEX-RN testing cohorts on this list: 81 first-time candidates across three reporting years, passing at a 97.6% first-time rate. The two-year AAS in Nursing is a genuine career ladder, letting students step out after level one with a practical nursing certificate or continue to RN licensure. A capstone course and dedicated faculty advising are built into the 70-credit plan. Institution-wide, roughly 34% of students graduate within the standard reporting window.
- ACEN accredited
- 70 total credit hours
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- Level 1 certificate in practical nursing
- Capstone course required
- Prerequisite coursework required
- Clinical rotations in diverse healthcare settings
- Dedicated program director and academic advisor
Southeast New Mexico College
#3Carlsbad, NM · ~$6,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: LPNs earning an RN without relocating
Southeast New Mexico College in Carlsbad runs an associate degree that works as a true career ladder. Everyone enters through the same GPA, prerequisite, and HESI requirements and takes the same first two semesters, then chooses between an LPN certificate and two more semesters toward RN licensure. Clinical placements with hospitals across southeastern New Mexico and southwest Texas give students real experience with rural and underserved care. Its 96.8% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate covers 23 first-time candidates across three reporting years.
- ACEN accredited
- HESI entrance exam required
- Career ladder with an LPN step-out after level one
- Full approval from the New Mexico Board of Nursing
- Clinical partnerships with hospitals across the region
- Focus on rural and underserved communities
- NCLEX-RN preparation built into every stage
- Coursework includes pharmacology and mental health
Santa Fe Community College
#4Santa Fe, NM · $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Santa Fe Community College's 96.7% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over the last three reporting years comes from 79 first-time test takers, a solid sample for an associate program. SFCC uses the concept-based NMNEC curriculum and offers multiple exit points, so students can work as a CNA or LPN while continuing toward the RN. A dual-degree arrangement with the University of New Mexico lets Santa Fe residents earn both the associate and bachelor's degrees without leaving the community. Institution-wide, about 23% of students graduate within the standard reporting window.
- ACEN accredited
- HESI entrance exam required
- Concept-based NMNEC curriculum
- Fall and spring start dates
- Three-year program plan
- UNM BSN and AAS dual-degree option
- Multiple exit points: CNA, LPN, RN
- 75% on-time completion rate
- Partners with the University of New Mexico
- Earn a BSN without leaving the Santa Fe community
- Dual-degree option with the UNM BSN
- HESI entrance exam required
- Covers pharmacology and emergency medicine
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
#5Las Cruces, NM · $2,000 – $6,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Doña Ana Community College, part of the New Mexico State University system, delivers an associate degree in Las Cruces with courses identical to those at the NMSU main campus. The 72-credit plan moves through four levels of nursing instruction with a clinical lab attached to each theory course, and licensed practical nurses can bridge in with four additional courses. The first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 95.4% across a substantial sample of 129 first-time candidates over three reporting years. NMSU's own BSN sits on the same campus, so students can ladder from the associate degree into the university program.
- 72 total credit hours
- LPN to ADN bridge option with four additional courses
- Courses identical to NMSU main campus
- Minimum C+ required in nursing courses
- Four levels of nursing instruction
- Clinical lab attached to each theory course
- Pre-nursing coursework in anatomy, physiology and terminology
- CCNE accredited
- 124 total credit hours
- Cohort-based structure
- HESI entrance exam required
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Roadrunner and Pathway second-degree options
- Videoconferenced classes at branch campuses
- Approved by the New Mexico Board of Nursing
Northern New Mexico College
#6Espanola, NM · $7,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 94.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Northern New Mexico College sits in Española and serves the communities between Santa Fe and Taos, an area with limited nursing education options. Its five-semester associate degree includes a Practical Nurse Certificate step-out, so students can start earning while they finish, and clinical partnerships are with local hospitals. The first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 94.7% across three reporting years, based on 46 first-time candidates. Institution-wide, about 29% of students graduate within the standard reporting window.
- ACEN accredited
- Five-semester program
- Prerequisites completed in one semester
- Practical Nurse Certificate step-out option
- Clinical partnerships with local hospitals
- Prepares graduates to continue into a BSN
San Juan College
#7Farmington, NM · ~$6,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
San Juan College in Farmington offers both an ACEN-accredited associate degree and a bachelor's pathway delivered through a formal partnership with the University of New Mexico. The ADN is a two-year program with simulation lab practice and clinical placements at area hospitals, while the BSN pathway runs eight semesters and requires a dual application to both schools. Across three reporting years, 126 first-time candidates passed NCLEX-RN at a 95.1% rate, one of the larger cohorts on this list. Graduates are frequently hired at San Juan Regional Medical Center.
- ACEN accredited since 1988
- Two-year program
- Clinical placements at local hospitals and agencies
- Simulation lab practice under instructor supervision
- NM Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships eligible
- Graduates hired at San Juan Regional Medical Center
- Four-year ADN to BSN pathway
- Partnership with the University of New Mexico
- Dual application to San Juan College and UNM
- BSN students pay UNM tuition rates
- Fall application window October 15 to February 15
- Spring application window June 15 to September 15
- UNM prerequisites include a 2.75 GPA and 23 credits
- Clinicals in hospitals and nursing homes
New Mexico Junior College
#8Hobbs, NM · ~$7,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 91.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs admits up to 50 students each August into an ACEN-accredited associate degree, keeping cohorts small enough for hands-on lab instruction in a modern facility. Its institution-wide graduation rate of about 58% is the strongest among the public colleges on this list, and graduates move into hospitals, schools, and military settings. The first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 91.5% across three reporting years and 70 first-time candidates. Students who want to keep going can ladder into BSN, MSN, and DNP programs.
- ACEN accredited
- Two-year program
- One start date per year, in August
- Up to 50 students accepted each fall
- Full approval from the New Mexico Board of Nursing
- Pathway to BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees
- State of the art nursing facility
- Career paths in hospitals, schools, and the military
Carrington College-Albuquerque
#9Albuquerque, NM · $45,000 – $50,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 89.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Carrington College's Albuquerque campus is the only private, career-focused nursing program in this top ten, and it tests by far the largest NCLEX-RN cohort here: 171 first-time candidates over three reporting years at an 89.5% first-time pass rate. The associate degree runs 23 months with a TEAS entrance exam and clinical rotations in acute, long-term, and community care. Its institution-wide graduation rate of 65% is the highest on this list, and military benefits are accepted with advanced placement available for trained service members.
- ACEN accredited
- TEAS entrance exam required
- 23-month program
- Military benefits accepted, with advanced placement available
- Simulation labs for hands-on practice
- Rotations in acute, long-term, and community care
- Focus on pharmacology and surgical nursing
- Offered at nine campuses across four states
Eastern New Mexico University
#10Portales, NM · ~$5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 91% (2-yr weighted avg)
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales is the only four-year university on this list whose nursing offering is a bachelor's completion route for registered nurses. The 16-month program runs in eight-week terms with rolling admissions and no application fee, which fits nurses who are already working full time. ENMU's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is about 91% across the board's two most recent reporting years, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 45%.
- ACEN accredited
- 16-month completion
- Eight-week course terms
- Rolling admissions with no application fee
- RN license required for entry
- Part-time enrollment available
- Sigma Theta Tau membership
- Free tutoring and writing center support
What Powers This List: NCLEX-RN Results First, Accreditation Close Behind
Why the Licensing Exam Comes First
The NCLEX-RN is the national exam every nursing graduate must pass before working as a registered nurse. A degree pays off only after you clear the exam, so NCLEX pass rates make up roughly three-quarters of each program's score. Those results are averaged over three years and weighted by how many graduates sat for the exam. A program that tests 150 students a year earns steadier credit than one that tests 8, where a single rough cohort can swing the pass rate dramatically.
Accreditation: The Quality Check Behind the Numbers
New Mexico Board of Nursing approval is the minimum bar. No pre-licensure program can operate without it, and newly approved programs must earn national accreditation within two years of their first graduating class. ACEN reviews practical, associate, bachelor's, and graduate programs and is the usual accreditor for ADN schools.1 CCNE covers baccalaureate and graduate programs, so check how to verify nursing school accreditation.2
- UNM: The BSN is CCNE-accredited.
- UNM-Valencia: The ADN holds ACEN accreditation through spring 2030.3 Its board approval carries a warning through March 2028.4
- CNM, ENMU-Roswell5, San Juan College6, NMJC7: Each holds continuing ACEN accreditation. San Juan's dates back to 1988.6
Where current status isn't published, as with NMSU, that reflects a gap in available records, not proof of a problem. Confirm directly with the school.
Context, Not Ranking Drivers
Net price and graduation rates appear for context only. Graduation rates are institution-wide, not specific to nursing students.
ADN vs. BSN in New Mexico: How the Shared Nursing Curriculum Connects Them
Few states have gone as far as New Mexico in erasing the line between associate and bachelor's nursing education. The New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium (NMNEC), formed in 2010, built a common concept-based prelicensure curriculum that was approved in 2012, first taught at two schools in 2014, and is now shared by 12 public nursing programs: three universities and nine community colleges.
Both Degrees Open the Same Exam Door
An ADN and a BSN both meet the requirement to take the NCLEX-RN in New Mexico. The license you earn is identical. What differs is time in school, total cost, and how hiring managers read your resume, since many hospitals prefer or actively recruit BSN-prepared nurses for acute care roles. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) gets you working sooner at a lower price; a BSN positions you for leadership, public health, and graduate study.
How Co-Enrollment Works
NMNEC offers three undergraduate routes: a university BSN, a community college ADN, or a co-enrolled ADN-BSN. Co-enrolled students are based at a community college but admitted to a partner university at the same time through a community college to university nursing pathway, meeting both schools' requirements (prerequisites passed with a C or better, a minimum 2.75 prerequisite GPA, and Nursing School Entrance Exams such as the ATI TEAS, HESI A2, or Kaplan). They sit in the same nursing courses as ADN classmates, add six BSN courses, and finish both degrees across five consecutive terms. UNM's dual degree option runs through CNM, San Juan College, Santa Fe Community College, UNM-Gallup, UNM-Taos, and UNM-Valencia2; NMSU uses the same statewide curriculum. In the 2026 reporting year, 270 students were co-enrolled, 16.9% of the baccalaureate pathway group.
Choosing Your Starting Point
Start with an ADN if cost is the binding constraint or if your nearest program is a community college campus. Go straight to a BSN if you can commit to four years and want the broadest hiring range. Because NMNEC spans 16 instructional locations, students outside Albuquerque can complete coursework and clinical hours near home rather than relocating.1
New Mexico by City
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Accelerated BSN Programs in New Mexico: UNM, NMSU Roadrunner, and Hybrid Options Compared
How long does an accelerated BSN take in New Mexico? Expect roughly 16 to 19 months. UNM's accelerated second-degree BSN runs four nursing terms, or 16 months of nursing coursework, and NMSU's Roadrunner Option runs five semesters, about 19 months. Both are built for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. RN-to-BSN is a separate pathway for nurses who are already licensed and want to complete a bachelor's degree. Admission is selective at both schools. UNM accepts a 2.75 GPA but considers 3.0 or higher competitive. NMSU sets a 3.00 graduating GPA floor, requires a B or better in every prerequisite, and expects HESI-A2 scores above 75%. Neither school's published materials confirm a 2026 start term or a formal no-work rule. Given the compressed pace, plan as though the program will be your full-time commitment, and ask admissions directly about working while enrolled. We could not verify a hybrid ABSN provider with confirmed New Mexico clinical sites and current 2026 details, so treat any hybrid offer with caution until the school confirms local clinical placements.
| Program | Eligibility | Length | Format | Start Terms | Approximate Cost | Admission Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNM Accelerated Second-Degree BSN | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution (or evaluated foreign equivalent); minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA; science and nursing prerequisites, including A&P, microbiology, chemistry, statistics, and pathophysiology, completed before the program starts; no entrance exam required | 16 months (4 nursing terms) | On campus in Albuquerque | 2026 start term not published; confirm with UNM | About $529.62 per credit, roughly $73,395 total (third-party estimate, not confirmed as UNM's official 2026 figure) | Competitive; UNM considers a 3.0+ GPA competitive |
| NMSU BSN Roadrunner Option | Completed bachelor's degree; minimum 3.00 graduating GPA; A&P I and II with lab, microbiology with lab, statistics, and pathophysiology, each with a B or better and no more than 7 years old; a separate 2.75 nursing-prerequisite GPA may also apply | 19 months (5 semesters) | Campus-based; not offered at NMSU-Grants or NMSU-Alamogordo | 2026 start term not published; confirm with NMSU | 2026 tuition and nursing fees not yet available | Highly selective; HESI-A2 (biology, chemistry, math, and English sections) with scores above 75% required |
| Hybrid ABSN providers serving New Mexico | Not verified | Not verified | Online coursework with in-person labs and clinicals; no provider with confirmed New Mexico clinical sites identified | Not verified | Not verified for 2026 | Not verified; confirm local clinical placements before applying |
Cheapest Paths to a New Mexico Nursing Degree: Net Price, Debt, and Payoff
How much does nursing school cost in New Mexico? At the lowest-cost options here, all public community colleges offering the associate degree in nursing, the average annual net price after grants and scholarships runs roughly $3,200 to $4,600, according to 2024 IPEDS and College Scorecard data. Treat these figures as approximate averages, not quotes, since your price depends on family income and aid. Program-level median debt and monthly loan payments are not yet published for these nursing programs, so we do not substitute campus-wide figures. Clovis Community College pairs the lowest net price with a 97.6% NCLEX-RN pass rate, which makes it the strongest value here on the data available.
| School | City | Credential | Avg. Annual Net Price (after aid) | In-State Tuition and Fees | NCLEX-RN Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clovis Community College | Clovis | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | About $3,230 | $1,592 | 97.6% |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell | Roswell | Associate of Science in Nursing | About $3,645 | $2,256 | 90.5% |
| Luna Community College | Las Vegas | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | About $4,595 | $1,474 | N/A |
Quick Answers for Future New Mexico Nurses
These short answers cover the questions we hear most from future New Mexico nurses. Each one points to the section of this guide with the full details.
Can you become an RN with an associate degree in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico nursing programs post the highest NCLEX-RN pass rates?
Does a New Mexico RN license let you work in other states?
UNM Nursing Program Requirements and Admission Checklists for NMSU and CNM
NMSU publishes the most detailed admission criteria of these three schools. Verified 2026 requirements for UNM and CNM were not available when this page was updated, so confirm directly with each nursing advising office before you plan your prerequisites.
- NMSU prerequisites and minimum GPAPrerequisites span biology, chemistry, math, English, psychology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and nutrition. You need at least a 2.75 nursing prerequisite GPA and a C- or better in every prerequisite and general-education course. Admitted students generally post higher GPAs than the minimum.
- NMSU entrance exam: HESI A2Take the HESI A2 in each semester you apply, because prior-semester scores are not considered. You must score at least 75% in each required category and overall. You get two attempts per cycle, and NMSU recommends testing at least a month before the deadline.
- NMSU points-based selectionAdmission is competitive and weighted. Your HESI composite counts for 50%, nursing prerequisite GPA for 40%, and the admission essay for 5%. Taking four or more prerequisites at NMSU adds 3%. New Mexico residency, military status, or eligibility for the Texas 135-mile tuition discount adds 2%.
- NMSU 2026 deadlinesThe deadlines are February 1 for Summer Roadrunner admission (Las Cruces only), April 1 for fall admission (all campuses), and September 1 for spring admission (Las Cruces only). Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. An older planning document lists March 15 for fall, but the current program page lists April 1.
- UNM BSN and CNM ADNVerified 2026 prerequisites, GPA minimums, entrance exam (TEAS or HESI), and deadlines are not yet confirmed. Ask each program's advisors for the current admission cycle's requirements.
- Clinical clearancesExpect to complete a criminal background check, submit immunization records, and hold current CPR certification before clinical placements begin. Specific requirements vary by school and clinical site.
Registered Nurse Pay by New Mexico Metro Area
Federal May 2025 wage estimates show Santa Fe with the highest registered nurse median pay among New Mexico's four metro areas and Farmington with the lowest, with Albuquerque and Las Cruces in between, though published metro-level dollar figures were not available for this table, so the statewide numbers below serve as the benchmark. Statewide, the RN median of $94,340 sits a little under the national median of $97,550. Santa Fe's higher housing and living costs can absorb much of its pay advantage, while Las Cruces and Farmington paychecks may stretch further day to day. Keep in mind that these figures describe what working nurses across the profession earn in New Mexico, not what graduates of any particular school earn after finishing their program.
| Occupation | Area | Employment | Mean Annual Wage | 25th Percentile | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | New Mexico (statewide) | 17,980 | $95,290 | $80,960 | $94,340 | $102,750 |
| Nurse Practitioners | New Mexico (statewide) | 1,770 | $143,510 | $124,740 | $137,520 | $160,950 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | New Mexico (statewide) | 320 | $75,960 | $59,250 | $79,380 | $90,530 |
Statewide RN Pay at a Glance
Here is what a typical RN in New Mexico earns.
New Mexico Board of Nursing Licensing Snapshot
More New Mexico Nursing Programs Worth a Look
The schools below sit outside the ranked group above but still hold New Mexico Board of Nursing approval and serve students across the state. They are grouped by region so you can weigh commute distance, campus format, and program level before you apply.
Albuquerque Metro
- Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Option
- Freshman Direct-Entry BSN Option
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Nursing (AAS)
- Nursing (AAS), NMNEC Concentration
- Nursing (AAS), LPN to RN Mobility Option
- CNM-UNM Nursing Dual Degree Program
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- ASN + BSN Dual Degree
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Southeast New Mexico
- Associate of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN Completion Program
Southern New Mexico
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associates of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN)
Northeast New Mexico
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Northwest New Mexico
- Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)