Best Nursing Schools in Albuquerque: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
February 28, 2026
Compare 11 Albuquerque nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data from the College Scorecard.
Albuquerque offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 11 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Why Study Nursing in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 11 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
University of New Mexico-Main Campus (Albuquerque)
In-state tuition: $8,115/year | Acceptance rate: 95.5% | Graduation rate: 52.1%
Nursing graduates earn $106,457/year (Master's Degree). Enrollment: 16,686 students.
New Mexico State University-Main Campus (Las Cruces)
In-state tuition: $8,147/year | Acceptance rate: 75.7% | Graduation rate: 51.6%
Nursing graduates earn $63,275/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 11,561 students.
Brookline College-Albuquerque (Albuquerque)
In-state tuition: N/A/year | Graduation rate: 64.9%
Nursing graduates earn $72,108/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 492 students.
Affordable ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | Nursing Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque | $1,934/yr | $66,822/yr |
| New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | Las Cruces | $2,322/yr | $64,455/yr |
| San Juan College | Farmington | $1,790/yr | $63,917/yr |
| Santa Fe Community College | Santa Fe | $2,145/yr | $60,104/yr |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus | Roswell | $2,256/yr | $53,245/yr |
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Not sure which path is right? Compare colleges and trade schools near you with real salary data.
Try the Calculator →How to Choose the Right Program
Consider these factors when selecting a nursing program in Albuquerque:
- Budget: Community college ADN programs are the cheapest path to an RN license, often under $5,000/year
- Career goals: ADN gets you working fastest; BSN opens more doors; MSN/DNP leads to advanced practice and highest earnings
- Transfer path: Many local CCs have articulation agreements with universities for ADN-to-BSN bridges
- Clinical sites: Look for programs with rotations at major local hospitals
Financial Aid
- Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often covers full CC tuition
- State grants — check New Mexico's state aid programs for residents
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship — tuition + living stipend for underserved area commitment
- Hospital tuition reimbursement — many employers pay for nurses pursuing higher degrees
Next Steps
Compare Albuquerque nursing programs on GradeToGrad — see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data for every school.