Explore New Mexico’s (NM) Best PhDs: Online & Campus Learning
New Mexico students looking to earn their doctorate have a wide range of opportunities, both online and in person. Read on for the best PhD programs in New Mexico.
New Mexico is a small state in terms of population but a mighty one in terms of brainpower. In fact, did you know that New Mexico has more PhDs per capita than any other state in the nation? Some speculate that this is because the state is home to world-renowned scientific research facilities, such as the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
But your educational opportunities aren’t confined to any one field. Whether you’re looking to study the arts or sciences, you’ll find a wide variety of doctoral programs in New Mexico from which to choose. Whether you’re looking for online PhD programs in New Mexico or planning to study on campus, this southwestern gem of a state has you covered. But where to get started? Let’s begin with a look at some of the top doctoral programs in New Mexico, then continue with types of degrees and the most in-demand fields in the state.
Top-Rated PhD and Doctoral Programs in New Mexico for 2024
When you’ve decided to go for your PhD — the highest degree in your field — it’s not a decision to take lightly. While PhD programs can be highly specific, and everyone’s concept of their “best” school will vary, we’ve compiled the following profiles of a few top New Mexico schools with high-quality doctoral programs to get you started in your research.
University of New Mexico
The flagship institution of New Mexico’s state university system, the University of New Mexico has a Graduate Studies division housed on its main campus in Albuquerque that offers an extensive variety of academically rigorous, often specific and potentially interdisciplinary doctoral programs in different departments. As a research university, you will see highly specialized facilities for your doctoral studies at UNM.
With the widest variety of PhD programs in New Mexico, UNM offers doctorates or PhDs from the following departments: engineering, university libraries and learning sciences, education and human sciences, pharmacy, public administration, population health, nursing, health sciences, fine arts, and arts and sciences.
Whatever your field, as a prospective doctoral student at UNM, you will need to check with your department of choice to see degree requirements and learning options. In the case of the School of Nursing, for example, you may be able to pursue your PhD online. Application requirements vary from field to field, so be sure to contact your department and prospective advisor if you have any questions.
New Mexico State University
“Be bold!” is the motto of New Mexico State University, and as a PhD student here, you can boldly pursue some of the top in-person and online doctoral programs in New Mexico in fields ranging from nursing practice to agricultural economics, counseling and educational psychology to mathematical sciences. The school offers one fully online doctoral option: a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from New Mexico State Global Campus, the online arm of the school. You can also receive your PhD in Curriculum & Instruction online, with the exception of a one-week residency every summer for three summers.
Applications and timeline details for in-person and online PhD programs at New Mexico State University vary by department/degree, so research your specific program of choice for more information. For instance, the PhD program in Mathematical Sciences does not have a specific application deadline, while deadlines to apply for the PhD in Water Science Management are firm.
New Mexico State University graduate students are eligible to apply for a variety of scholarships, grants, and fellowships. Most awards are department-based, so you’ll want to contact your specific office for details.
New Mexico Tech
If you’re a STEM student in the Southwest looking to pursue your PhD, you might be an ideal candidate for graduate programs at New Mexico Tech. This is a public university with a focus on science and engineering that traces its history back to the nineteenth century when it was founded to teach mining technology — then a vital part of New Mexico’s economy.
Today, you can choose from graduate programs in biology, biotechnology, chemical engineering, chemistry, computer science, and more. As a technical university, New Mexico Tech offers some of the most intensive STEM-based doctoral programs in the state, including New Mexico’s only PhD in Petroleum Engineering. Application requirements vary by discipline.
While the school accepts and reviews applications throughout the year, students who want to be considered for assistantships must apply by Jan. 15 for the fall semester and Sept. 15 for the spring.
Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Available in New Mexico
There’s more than one way for you to earn your doctorate. Depending on your circumstances, you may find yourself choosing between several different types of doctoral programs. Here are some of the types of PhD programs you can find in New Mexico and what they might look like for you.
Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in New Mexico
Full-time PhD programs are the most common, and most traditional, types of degree programs for earning a doctorate. They are also the most easily found PhD programs in New Mexico, from the PhD in Electrical Engineering at New Mexico Tech to the PhD in Latin American Studies at the University of New Mexico. These programs typically require an intensive time commitment, potentially making it hard to hold a job during your studies.
Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in New Mexico
If you have personal or professional responsibilities that make full-time study challenging, consider a part-time PhD. These types of programs, which include transfer, hybrid, and online doctoral programs in New Mexico — such as the Cybersecurity PhD at New Mexico Tech or the online Doctor of Nursing Practice at New Mexico State — allow for more scheduling flexibility based on a more limited weekly time commitment. However, be aware that your overall time to complete your studies will be longer than that of a full-time student.
Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs in New Mexico
It’s important to consider how you’re going to pay for your doctoral studies. Luckily, many PhD programs, including many of the PhD programs at the University of New Mexico, offer full or partial funding for your doctoral tuition and often a living stipend. This funding can be obtained through a combination of grants from your school and work you will complete as a research or teaching assistant over the course of your studies.
No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs in New Mexico
If you’re not a fan of standardized tests, you may be wondering whether GRE scores are required as part of your PhD application. Luckily, you may not have to worry about testing thanks to no-GRE PhD programs. These degrees, which include options like the PhD programs in Mechanical Engineering and Physics at New Mexico Tech, are prestigious, valid doctorates, but they’ll consider your application based on grades, recommendations, and other factors — without the GRE.
Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs in New Mexico
Want to earn your doctoral degree as fast as you can? Accelerated doctoral programs are designed to help you complete your PhD as quickly as possible — some in as little as one year. While there are no specific accelerated PhD program offerings in New Mexico, many programs will accept transfer credits from previous doctoral studies. This can reduce the time it takes you to graduate by a year or longer, depending on your credits.
No Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in New Mexico
Most PhD programs require you to complete an extensive independent research project, known as a dissertation. However, some programs, such as the online DNP at New Mexico State University, do not require a dissertation and have a capstone or similar project instead. These degree programs are often professional doctorates designed for those looking for a career in industry rather than research or academia and may have a strong focus on developing professional skills.
New Mexico’s Top PhDs: Discover What’s in Demand
Education
For STEM students who’ve been working in computer science but want to reach the highest points of their field or those looking to transition to a career in research or academia, a PhD in Computer Science will give you a grounding in original research at the leading edge of technology. This degree is typically best for those who already hold a master’s and have prior computer science work experience.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Program
Nursing
In the field of nursing, a PhD or DNP is the highest qualification possible. This degree will take you, as an already-experienced nurse, into the theory and practice of nursing. You may also have the chance to specialize in a field like nursing informatics, nurse education, and more.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Program
Chemistry
Chemistry is a field in which scientists perform rigorous laboratory research. For students who want to be at the forefront of that research, whether in an academic or industry setting, a PhD in chemistry is an important final step in a postgraduate educational journey that likely also includes a master’s degree.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Educational Psychology
New Mexico schools and educational organizations need psychologists who understand how students learn and how to apply psychological practices in educational settings. Teachers, curriculum coordinators, principals, and aspiring school psychologists looking to work on the psychology of education as researchers or industry professionals can become experts in the field with a PhD in educational psychology.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Mechanical Engineering
If you’re a student looking to build great things, you just might be a mechanical engineer. Maybe you’ve been working in mechanical engineering but are now looking to specialize, or perhaps you’ve already earned some postgraduate credentials but want to pivot in your career towards research or teaching (or both, at the university level). If so, a PhD in mechanical engineering might be right for you.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Program
Earning Your PhD or Professional Doctorate Online in New Mexico
If you’re planning to enroll in an online or hybrid PhD program, it’s natural to have a few questions. While fully online doctoral programs in New Mexico aren’t widespread, many come with the possibility of some elements of distance or hybrid learning. These will generally mean you’ll attend class through video lectures — either synchronously at a pre-determined time with your peers or asynchronously at a time most convenient to you — while some elements of your studies will take place on campus.
In the case of online and hybrid programs, you will typically benefit from the convenience and flexibility of online lecture courses. However, as seen above, many hybrid and remote-first doctorates are in STEM fields or health-related fields that do require hands-on experiences, such as labs and clinicals, so you will need to be sure that you can feasibly commute to campus or another site (like a hospital for clinical work) for in-person learning when necessary.
Tapping into Assistance: Funding Your Doctoral Degree in NM
Be sure you have some idea of how you’re going to pay for your doctoral studies before you begin classes. Many schools, including UNM and New Mexico State, have school-funded scholarships, fellowships, and grant opportunities for doctoral students — whether those are contingent on your taking on an assistantship or not. You’ll also want to research scholarships/grants and fellowships available to PhD students in your specific field of study. And don’t forget to look into funding opportunities from outside your school — including the scholarship opportunities offered by the New Mexico Higher Education Department for graduate students, as well as funds from private organizations. Remember, local scholarships and scholarships for historically underrepresented groups often have fewer applicants, so if you’re eligible, it’s a good idea to apply.
Earnings for New Mexican Doctorate Holders
While you likely made the decision to pursue one of many possible doctoral programs in New Mexico based on a passion for your field and the desire for personal fulfillment, it’s only natural to wonder how it’s going to affect your earning potential. Good news: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Americans with a PhD had both the highest weekly earnings of all American workers and the lowest unemployment rates in 2022. With that in mind, earnings vary greatly by profession, so take a look at some of these in-demand careers that require a PhD, as well as median/high earning expectations.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemist | PhD in Biochemistry | $103,810 | $171,010 |
| Economist | PhD in Economics | $113,940 | $207,230 |
| Epidemiologist | PhD in Public Health / Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) | $78,520 | $123,430 |
| Medical Scientist | PhD | $99,930 | $170,260 |
| Physical Therapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | $97,720 | $128,830 |
| Physicist | PhD in Physics | $139,220 | $181,510 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | PhD in Education | $80,840 | $173,730 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) / PhD in Psychology | $85,330 | $141,910 |
| Research Scientist | PhD | $136,620 | $232,010 |
| Statistician | PhD in Statistics | $99,960 | $171,540 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023