Criminal Justice Schools in New Mexico
The Best Degrees, Careers and Resources for Criminal Justice Students
As the state’s interest in cracking down on crime begins to take precedence over economic concerns, criminal justice schools in New Mexico may play increasingly significant roles in producing qualified legal and protective service professionals statewide. However, students looking to find the right New Mexico criminal justice school for them may have a hard time figuring out where to begin their educational and professional pursuits. This guide provides numerous tools, lists and resources to help students find quality criminal justice schools in New Mexico and learn about the various criminal justice careers available to them.
DEGREE LEADERBOARD: BEST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SCHOOLS IN NEW MEXICO FOR 2017
New Mexico is home to a variety of different schools where students can get a solid criminal justice education. It’s great to have options, but prospective students may have a hard time gauging the quality of the criminal justice schools on their lists. The list below ranks the best criminal justice schools in New Mexico based on a combination of factors, like tuition, acceptance rates, student-to-teacher ratio and total enrollment.
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Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Looking for a premier education to jump-start your career? Consider one of the 38 bachelor’s degrees from Western New Mexico University. Students can choose from 38 in-person bachelor's degree programs and 16 remote programs.
Students gain skills and knowledge through their coursework, and become better prepared for their future careers. Learners can customize their studies by choosing electives and declaring minors and degree concentrations. Enrollees can receive further guidance through academic advising, career services, and other resources.
Students may be eligible for scholarships, fellowships, and other financial aid awards. The college boasts an average financial aid award package of $6,570, with 95% of all enrollees receiving some form of aid.
- In-State$4,167
- Out-of-state$11,400
- In-State$3,356
- Out-of-state$8,730
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,193
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
New Mexico State University supports flexible educational opportunities for undergraduate students. Learners can choose from a variety of degree programs, in person and online. Learners can choose from 89 bachelor's degree programs or opt for remote study across 12 programs.
Learners studying on campus and online benefit from a supportive learning community. Criminal justice students complete field-specific coursework as part of the program curriculum. Enrollees take general and advanced classes and can modify their course load to suit their career goals.
Learners can customize their studies in consultation with an academic advisor, to suit their personal and professional goals. While enrolled, learners can connect with institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising, to receive further guidance.
To manage the cost of education, students can apply for scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities through the financial aid office. The average student receives approximately $8,853 in financial aid, with 99% of all enrollees receiving some form of aid.
- In-State$5,875
- Out-of-state$21,864
- In-State$4,844
- Out-of-state$16,834
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled14,296
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Eastern New Mexico University provides premier degree programs suitable for undergraduate students. Of its 46 bachelor's degree programs, 18 are offered online. Enrollees connect with peers, faculty, and staff, either through campus learning environments or virtual classrooms.
Degree-seekers gain skills and knowledge through classes, lectures, and experiential learning opportunities. Students have the option to modify their classes, choose electives, and customize their studies. Learners can access institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising, throughout their program.
Depending on their eligibility, students can apply scholarships, fellowships, and other funding toward their educational expenses. According to the institution, 97% of all enrollees receive financial aid, with the average award amounting to $7,142.
- In-State$3,996
- Out-of-state$5,994
- In-State$7,044
- Out-of-state$9,342
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled5,685
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Undergraduate students can benefit from a flexible, thorough education at New Mexico Highlands University. The public institution offers hybrid degree programs at the undergraduate level. The college campus and online learning environment enable students to connect with peers, faculty, and staff during their studies.
Students in the criminal justice program complete industry-relevant coursework and attend lectures, gaining the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Students complete foundational and advanced coursework, gaining a well-rounded education.
Students have the option to select electives, degree concentrations, and degree minors, and they can pursue other academic modifications. Learners can receive personalized guidance by connecting with career services, academic advising, and other institutional resources.
Students can meet with the financial aid office to determine their eligibility for scholarships and other educational funding. At the college, 95% of all incoming students receive financial aid funding.
- In-State$4,440
- Out-of-state$8,712
- In-State$5,112
- Out-of-state$9,336
- Retention Rate55%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,787
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Located in Albuquerque, the University of New Mexico provides flexible educational opportunities for learners worldwide. Learners can choose from a variety of degree programs, either in person or online. The college campus and online learning environment enable students to connect with peers, faculty, and staff.
Learners studying in person and online benefit from a supportive learning community. Students in the criminal justice program complete industry-relevant coursework and attend lectures, gaining the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Degree-seekers can supplement their learning through experiential learning opportunities, such as research projects and internships.
Learners can customize their studies, choose electives, and declare degree concentrations and minors. A leader in student success, the college connects enrollees with career services, academic advising, and other support resources.
The financial aid office can connect students with funding opportunities, to make the cost of college manageable. The average student receives approximately $8,000 in financial aid, with 94% of all enrollees receiving some form of aid.
- In-State$6,299
- Out-of-state$21,716
- In-State$5,156
- Out-of-state$17,407
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled22,729
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
MOST POPULAR CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS IN NEW MEXICO
There is a ton of variety within the criminal justice field, from supervising law enforcement officers to transcribing court hearings. Students looking to study criminal justice in New Mexico can take a look at the state’s most popular legal and protective services careers to help guide them down an educational and career path.
EMPLOYER PROFILE: WHERE TO GET HIRED WITH A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE IN NEW MEXICO
Students pursuing criminal justice careers aren’t limited to New Mexico’s metropolitan areas; both the state’s more populous cities are rural areas see high employment of those in the legal and protective services. The table below notes which parts of New Mexico employ the most criminal justice professionals and the average annual earnings for professionals in these regions.
- Protective Services
Potential Employers
Central New Mexico Correctional Facility; Santa Fe Police Department; New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; Albuquerque Sheriff’s Department; Albuquerque Animal Services Department; Penn National Gaming; Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court; Las Cruces Public Schools; Roswell Recreation Department; Albuquerque International Airport
Total Number of Employees in New Mexico: 23,750 - Legal Occupations
Potential Employers
New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts; Albuquerque Court of Appeals; Santa Fe Supreme Court; Modrall Sperling Law Firm; New Mexico Judicial Court System; Holland Services
Total Number of Employees in New Mexico: 5,360
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN NEW MEXICO
BUSINESS COMPLIANCE RESOURCES
CORRECTIONAL RESOURCES
COURT & JUDICIAL RESOURCES
LEGAL RESOURCES
LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES
WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES