Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in New Mexico 2025
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
77 cybersecurity graduates annually, 90% graduation rate
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
3 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus
2 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.New Mexico offers 4+ accredited cybersecurity programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of New Mexico-Main Campus leads with 90% graduation rate
- 3.New Mexico software developers earn median $96,540 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces
- 5.Cost of living index: 91.4% of US average (below average)
Cybersecurity Education in New Mexico: Overview
New Mexico offers 4 accredited cybersecurity programs, producing approximately 89 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, with major employers including Sandia National Labs, Los Alamos National Lab, Intel.
With a median software developer salary of $96,540 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 91.4% compared to the US average, New Mexico offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top cybersecurity programs in the state are led by University of New Mexico-Main Campus, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
New Mexico Cybersecurity Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of New Mexico-Main Campus | Albuquerque, NM | Public | $6,803 | 90% | 70.9 |
| 2 | Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute | Albuquerque, NM | Public | $0 | — | 41.8 |
| 3 | University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus | Los Alamos, NM | Public | $2,096 | — | 40.7 |
| 4 | Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College | Ruidoso, NM | Public | $1,704 | — | 31.5 |
Top 5 Cybersecurity Programs in New Mexico: Side-by-Side
| School | U of New Mexico | Southwestern Indian... | U of New Mexico-Los Alamos | Eastern New Mexico... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 |
| In-State Tuition | $6,803 | $0 | $2,096 | $1,704 |
| Graduation Rate | 90% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 77 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 95% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Public | Public | Public | Public |
| Score | 70.9/100 | 41.8/100 | 40.7/100 | 31.5/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in New Mexico
Limited bachelor's-level cybersecurity programs are available in New Mexico. Consider nearby states or online programs for more options.
Top Cybersecurity Schools for Master's Degrees in New Mexico
For graduate study, New Mexico offers 1 master's-level cybersecurity programs. Leading institutions include University of New Mexico-Main Campus. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in New Mexico reaching $125,502 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best cybersecurity master's programs for more options beyond New Mexico.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Master's Programs in New Mexico
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of New Mexico | $6,803 | 90% | 77 | 70.9 |
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Colleges in New Mexico
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable cybersecurity programs in New Mexico are at Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College ($1,704/year), University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus ($2,096/year), University of New Mexico-Main Campus ($6,803/year). These programs offer strong ROI given New Mexico's competitive tech salaries.
At Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $6,816 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $67,578, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.2 years. See our Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs in New Mexico (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Eastern New Mexico... | $1,704 | $6,816 | 0.2 years | Public |
| #2 U of New Mexico-Los Alamos | $2,096 | $8,384 | 0.3 years | Public |
| #3 U of New Mexico | $6,803 | $27,212 | 0.8 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Cybersecurity Schools in New Mexico
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 cybersecurity programs in New Mexico, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $6,803 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 77 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 95%
- • Ranking Score: 70.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- 77 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 70.9 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (77 graduates), state salary outcomes ($96,540), and selectivity (95% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
Albuquerque, NM • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $0 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 3 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 41.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 3 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 41.8 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (3 graduates), state salary outcomes ($96,540), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus
Los Alamos, NM • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $2,096 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 2 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 40.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 2 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 40.7 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (2 graduates), state salary outcomes ($96,540), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College
Ruidoso, NM • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $1,704 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 7 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 31.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 7 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 31.5 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (7 graduates), state salary outcomes ($96,540), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Security Analyst opportunities in New Mexico with strong job growth.
Penetration Tester
SOC 15-1212Penetration Tester opportunities in New Mexico with strong job growth.
Security Engineer
SOC 15-1212Security Engineer opportunities in New Mexico with strong job growth.
Incident Responder
SOC 15-1212Incident Responder opportunities in New Mexico with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces
- You're seeking lower cost of living (91.4% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Sandia National Labs or Los Alamos National Lab
- You prefer New Mexico's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs New Mexico's 4)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Cybersecurity in New Mexico FAQ
Based on 4 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cybersecurity degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
New Mexico-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - New Mexico salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.