New Mexico Highlands University

Ivan Hilton Science Center NMHU was first established as "New Mexico Normal School" in 1893, with prominent archaeologist Edgar Lee Hewett serving as its first president. The institution became "New Mexico Normal University" in 1902, and primarily offered teacher education ; [ 4 ] it adopted its current name of New Mexico Highlands University in 1941, as it expanded its programs beyond teaching. NMHU now offers graduate and undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, education, nursing, and social work. Located in Las Vegas , a city with a population of over 13,000, Highlands' main campus is close to recreational and wilderness areas and is within an hour's drive of Santa Fe and two hours from Albuquerque. The majority of NMHU's approximately 3,765 students are from New Mexico and Latino ; the university is recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education , which denotes a total undergraduate enrollment that is one-quarter or more Hispanic. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] Highlands' programs explicitly focus on its multiethnic student body, especially the Latino and American Indian cultures distinctive of New Mexico. [ 4 ] In November 2025, the American Council on Education designated New Mexico Highlands University a research institution for the first time, shortly after the school announced the launch of its inaugural doctoral program in nursing beginning in spring 2026. [ 6 ] NMHU is also planning to offer doctorate degrees in education and social work "in the near future". [ 7 ]

NMHU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and also has specialty accreditations for many programs. The School of Education received full accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) in 2012. The School of Business is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs ( ACBSP ). The School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is accredited by the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). [ 8 ] The Department of Forestry is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

NMHU has several bachelor's and master's degree programs spanning six schools and colleges; these include business administration, counseling, nursing, [ 9 ] social work, and the natural sciences. [ 10 ] The school is launching a doctorate in nursing in spring 2026 and has announced plans for doctoral programs in education and social work. [ 7 ] According to U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) , NMHU is one of the top 100 schools for economically disadvantaged students and ranks among the top 45-59 public schools nationwide. [ 11 ] Out of 118 "Regional Universities West" in the 2026 USNWR rankings, Highlands ranked No. 97 overall, No. 52 among public schools, and No. 75 on social mobility. NMHU is among the top 12 percent of schools in the 2022 Social Mobility Index, which measures the extent to which institutions provide opportunities for students with family incomes below the national median, based on metrics such as tuition cost, indebtedness among graduates, and post-graduate employment. [ 12 ]

More information Race and ethnicity, Total ... Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023 [ 13 ] Race and ethnicity Total Hispanic 61% White 14% American Indian / Alaska Native 9% Black 6% International student 5% Two or more races 3% Unknown 3% Economic diversity Low-income [ a ] 52% Affluent [ b ] 48% Close