NMSU Global leads region in 2026 U.S. News Best Online Programs rankings

New Mexico State University Global Campus has been recognized among the nation’s top institutions in the newly released 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings, leading peer institutions in the region for best online bachelor’s programs overall and earning national placements across undergraduate and graduate programs.

NMSU Global earned a place among the nation’s top online undergraduate programs in psychology (19 tied) and programs for veterans (45 tied). The university also ranked among the best online bachelor’s programs overall (69 tied) and undergraduate business programs (73 tied). Among peer institutions in the region, NMSU Global earned the highest placement for best online bachelor’s programs overall. 

“The success of NMSU Global and our online programs is a testament to the hard work of faculty and staff alike in providing quality education that reaches the four corners of the state and beyond,” said NMSU President Valerio Ferme. “As such, these programs are an integral part in helping us fulfill our land-grant mission.”

At the graduate level, NMSU Global earned national recognition for its online master’s programs in criminal justice (44 tied), information technology (79), engineering (81–111), education (205 tied) and business administration (162 tied), highlighting the breadth of its online graduate offerings.

“This recognition underscores the momentum and mission of NMSU Global,” said Sherry Kollmann, chancellor of NMSU Global. “This distinction reflects our commitment to expanding high-quality, flexible learning that empowers students across New Mexico and through the region. Every ranking is a reminder that when we innovate with purpose, we open doors for learners who are building stronger futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Compared with last year’s recognitions, NMSU Global maintained strong national placements across its online programs, with several areas showing improvement. The online undergraduate psychology program moved up to 19 tied in 2026 from 25 tied in 2025, while the online MBA improved to 162 tied after ranking 202 the previous year. Rankings for online bachelor’s programs overall (69 tied) and programs for veterans (45 tied) remained competitive nationally, and graduate programs in criminal justice (44 tied) and information technology (79) continued to earn top-tier recognition. NMSU Global also experienced more than 20% year-over-year enrollment growth, reflecting increased demand for the university’s online programs and flexible learning options. 

“NMSU Global has allowed us to provide greater access to our quality education and student-centric focus,” said Lakshmi Reddi, NMSU interim provost and chief academic officer. “Within a short time increasing our online presence, our programs have gained good visibility and reputation. The recognition reflected by these rankings will undoubtedly propel NMSU Global to greater heights.”

The 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings used a largely consistent methodology while incorporating modest refinements and expanded participation from institutions nationwide. This year, more programs submitted data and completed peer assessments, broadening representation across distance-learning offerings. U.S. News also added a new factor for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs recognizing institutions that administer an institution wide First Destination Survey to track graduate outcomes, while updating internal processes to improve data accuracy, peer assessment inclusion and validation.

To view the full list of NMSU Global rankings, visit https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/new-mexico-state-university-main-campus-188030.