New Mexico colleges and universities are seeing more students walk through their doors—again.
For the second straight year, the state reported a rise in college enrollment. Spring 2025 numbers show a 4.2% increase over the same time last year, adding more than 5,000 students across public campuses.
What’s driving the growth? State officials point to New Mexico’s tuition-free college programs.
- The Opportunity Scholarship, launched in 2022, now supports over 34,000 residents. It covers tuition and fees for those taking at least six credit hours at public colleges.
- The Lottery Scholarship, fully restored in 2021, helped nearly 10,000 students this spring.
“These scholarships are doing exactly what they were meant to—helping thousands of New Mexicans get a college education without worrying about tuition,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez.
The numbers are especially striking when compared to national trends. While first-year college enrollment has dropped 5% across the U.S. since fall 2021, New Mexico has seen a 23.1% increase.
To keep the momentum going, the state has set up a nearly $1 billion trust fund to continue funding its free-tuition programs.
It’s a clear signal: New Mexico is betting big on higher education—and it appears to be paying off.
