The New Mexico Higher Education Department reported preliminary fall 2026 census figures showing 115,231 students enrolled at public colleges and universities statewide, a 1.2% increase from fall 2025 and a 14.9% rise over five years that added more than 14,000 students, the department said on Oct. 26.
state officials point to tuition-free program
Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez attributed the continued growth in part to the Opportunity Scholarship, a program that provides tuition-free access for eligible New Mexicans pursuing certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees.
“New Mexico’s students continue to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them,” Rodriguez said. “Our state’s commitment to affordability and access is making a real, measurable difference for New Mexicans of all ages. Five years of steady growth shows that when we invest in students, they show up.”
The department said New Mexico’s enrollment gains run counter to national patterns that have shown volatility or declines in college participation in recent years. Officials pointed readers seeking details on state financial aid and college opportunities to the state’s higher education portal, ReachHigherNM.com.
what the numbers show
- 115,231: preliminary head count of students at public colleges and universities in fall 2026.
- 1.2%: increase in statewide public higher education enrollment from fall 2025 to fall 2026.
- 14.9%: cumulative enrollment growth over five years, an increase of more than 14,000 students since fall 2021.
The department did not publish a detailed campus-by-campus breakdown in the material reviewed for this article; the release emphasized statewide totals and the role of affordability measures in sustaining enrollment growth.
State officials framed the Opportunity Scholarship as a key element of the affordability strategy that helped expand access to higher education across New Mexico. The scholarship covers tuition for eligible students pursuing workforce certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees, according to the department’s announcement.
The preliminary census figures are the latest in a five-year trend the department highlighted as evidence that targeted state investment in affordability can increase college participation across age groups and program types.
