Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez praised New Mexico’s four-year universities for holding tuition flat, saying the regents made the right decision to prioritize affordability for students, the New Mexico Higher Education Department said in a news release. She issued the statement after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a record $1.5 billion higher education budget for fiscal year 2027.
"New Mexico’s university regents from four-year universities are correct to not raise tuition. I applaud them for holding the line," Rodriguez said. Given the state’s historic investment in higher education this past legislative session, she said, it is all the more important to show students and prospective students that New Mexico will put those funds to good use and not saddle anyone with unnecessary debt.
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Rodriguez said supporting students is the best example the state can set, and New Mexico will keep working to ease costs and everyday living expenses for students, faculty and staff however it can. She added that as federal decisions continue to drive up costs, New Mexico can be an example of government on both sides of the aisle working for the good of the people.
According to an earlier department release, the $1.5 billion budget is a 15.4% increase over last year and the largest investment in higher education in state history. It includes $186 million for the Opportunity Scholarship, with $146 million from the general fund and $40 million from the Higher Education Program Fund, alongside a $37 million increase to the Lottery Tuition Fund that maintains 100% tuition coverage for eligible students. Since 2022, the Opportunity Scholarship has helped more than 118,000 New Mexicans.
Editor’s note: Updated Oct. 31, 2026. This story was revised to cite the New Mexico Higher Education Department news release it is based on. Learn how Brant.One reports in our editorial standards.
