For the fourth-straight year, official enrollment numbers at New Mexico State University have grown, with the main Las Cruces campus showing a 3.7% increase over 2025 – the largest percentage increase among all of New Mexico’s four-year state universities this year. Overall, with an increase of more than 2% systemwide over last fall, NMSU’s system enrollment surpassed 24,000 for the first time since 2019.
Aided by the Lottery and Opportunity scholarships, and with double-digit growth from NMSU Global, NMSU’s systemwide enrollment for fall 2026 is also up to 24,344 – a 2.3% increase from the same time last year, according to final data from the university’s recent census report.
“The growth we’re seeing across the NMSU system is the result of deliberate and consistent focus on students and the quality education we are able to provide at contained costs for them and their families,” NMSU president Valerio Ferme said. “Together with the strategic initiatives we have implemented to strengthen retention across our campuses, the growth shows the commitment by everyone on our campuses, from faculty and advisers to support staff and administrators, to see our students succeed on the path to achieving their higher education goals.”
The unduplicated headcount for NMSU’s Las Cruces campus, which includes NMSU Global, the fully online arm of the university, consists of 16,678 undergraduate and graduate students, 3.7% higher than last year. Undergraduate student enrollment leads the way with a 4.9% growth this fall, at 9,138 students, with first-time freshmen enrollment at 2,585, up 5.5% percent over last year. NMSU Global now has 4,091 students, a 19.2% increase from fall 2025.
Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success Tony Marin credits coordinated recruitment efforts among undergraduate and college recruitment specialists, who travel the state to meet with students and their families, and a partnership with NMSU’s Cooperative Extension Service with introducing more prospective students to the academic and support programs available at NMSU. Marin attributes NMSU Global’s enrollment growth to strategic recruitment efforts throughout New Mexico and the implementation of Student Success Teams, which provide students with dedicated support from admission through graduation.
Additionally, Marin states on-campus programs such as the President’s Mentorship Program and the 1888 Leadership Initiative help to strengthen students’ sense of belonging and connecting students with professors, staff and administrators, which aid in persistence and degree completion rates.
“New Mexico State University offers strong academic programs led by faculty who are experts in their fields, comprehensive support services that promote student success and engaging student life opportunities that create an exceptional Aggie experience. Together, these elements prepare our students for successful careers and lifelong achievement,” Marin said.
NMSU’s community colleges enrolled more than 9,500 students across their three campuses in Cibola, Doña Ana and Otero counties in fall 2026. The enrollment represents a 1.5% decrease from fall 2025, marking the first decline following four consecutive years of strong post-pandemic growth across the colleges.
“Our community colleges have experienced remarkable momentum over the past four years as we recovered from the pandemic,” said Monica Torres, chancellor of NMSU’s community colleges. “While we’re seeing a modest enrollment shift this fall, we remain committed to providing accessible, high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of students and employers in the counties we serve.”
For complete fall enrollment data, visit oia.nmsu.edu.