Top Online MBA Programs in New Mexico

Known as the Land of Enchantment, the state of New Mexico features a population of just over two million residents. Besides its dry climate and diverse terrain, New Mexico also features a rich culture centered in and around its capital city of Santa Fe. Established in 1610 as a trading post and hub for settlers heading west, the city captures the spirit of the southwest with a vibrant collection of museums, Native-American themed artist galleries, restaurants, and retail stores which attract thousands of tourists each year. Well known as a favorite of world-renowned American artist Georgia O’Keefe, Santa Fe is home to the museum which displays much of her artwork.

New Mexico also happens to deliver some of the nation’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs. While not all graduate students have the luxury of being able to travel to New Mexico to take in the mountainous landscapes and arid climate, the online MBA is a perfect fit for students who have already established themselves in professional positions or who have personal commitments in other states. Many of the best business schools in New Mexico allow students to qualify for their programs by completing an online admission application to get the process started. The completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA is the base requirement for many graduate programs. While the GMAT has been an admissions requirement for decades, some business schools have begun offering waivers based on other academic accomplishments.

There are many factors which combine to make an online MBA effective in training tomorrow’s business leaders. The top-three ranking included here has been carefully assembled to insure that factors like affordability, accreditation, program length, and program reputation all combine to bring you the best that New Mexico has to offer. Let this list of New Mexico’s best help you in finding the right match for an online Master’s of Business Administration.

For more information about other online MBA programs, check out our article on the top MBA specializations and explore our other Online MBA Rankings.

Note: A detailed explanation of the methodology we used to determine the best online MBA programs in New Mexico can be found at the end of the ranking.

#1 New Mexico State University College of Business – Las Cruces, New Mexico

Photo creditThe College of Business at New Mexico State University delivers the state’s best online Master’s of Business Administration with concentrations in Agribusiness, Finance, Information Systems, and Public Utility Regulation, or delivered as a general MBA. This 36-credit hour program is classified as very affordable with a total tuition price of less than $14,999. While U.S. News & World Report has recently recognized the business school as offering the 205^th best online MBA in the nation, the College of Business receives its excellent business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This hybrid degree “is a professional program designed to provide students with a solid background in business practices and the problem-solving and people skills needed to be successful leaders in the global business environment. The curriculum prepares students for administrative and managerial positions in a wide variety of organizations, both private and governmental.” Curriculum for this program is delivered in a cohort-based format allowing students to complete some coursework online, meet on campus during the evenings, and complete all requirements for the degree in just 24 months.

Commonly known as the state’s land and space-grant research university, New Mexico State University was originally founded as Las Cruces College in 1885 by educator Hiram Hadley. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, the university exists today as a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Delivering degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, NMSU oversees a student body of 14,852. Home of the Aggies and featuring the mascot Pistol Pete, the official school colors of New Mexico State are crimson and white. The athletic department at the university consists of men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Western Athletic Conference.

Affordability Score: Very Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 100.00

#2 Eastern New Mexico University College of Business – Portales, New Mexico

Photo creditOne of New Mexico’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs is delivered by the College of Business at Eastern New Mexico University. This 30-credit hour program is classified as very affordable with a total tuition price of less than $14,999. Offered as a 100% online experience, this program focuses “on the development of managerial generalists, rather than specialists, and requires study in all major functional areas of business. Our MBA program has several components: skill competency, undergraduate common body of knowledge, core classes and approved electives.” Admission requirements for this program include prior admission to the Graduate School, the completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university including a 3.0 GPA, completion of the Common Professional Component courses, and a GMAT score of at least 450. Students with an overall GPA of more than 3.0 for the Common Professional Component courses may be eligible to waive the GMAT requirement. Core courses within this program include Accounting for Managers, Law, Ethics and Social Responsibility, Managerial Research Analysis, Integrative Strategic Management, Managerial Economics, Information Systems for Managers, and Production and Operations Management. The business school receives its exemplary business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Home of the Greyhounds who wear the school colors of green and silver, the athletic department at Eastern New Mexico University supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Lone Star Conference. Eastern New Mexico University is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Portales, New Mexico. The university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to the 6,010 students currently enrolled there. Beginning as a community college, the university was established in 1927 as Eastern New Mexico Junior College. The school received its university status in 1949. Eastern New Mexico University receives its regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and features “Student Success – That’s What It’s All About” as its official school motto.

Affordability Score: Very Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 86.16

#3 New Mexico Highlands University School of Business, Media and Technology – Las Vegas, New Mexico

Photo creditNew Mexico Highlands University offers one of the state’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs with specializations in Accounting, Finance, International Business, and Human Resource Management, Management, and Marketing at the School of Business, Media and Technology. This 36-credit hour program is classified as very affordable with a total tuition price of less than $14,999. The School of Business, Media and Technology receives its excellent business accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. This degree “utilizes an intensive problem-solving approach, featuring case studies and simulations across the spectrum of decision areas within business organizations and emphasizing the integrative nature and teamwork aspects of managerial responsibilities.” Divided between 24 credit hours of core courses and 12 credit hours of concentration courses, the core courses within this program include Quantitative Methods, Business Research Methods, Financial Accounting, Managerial Economics, Managerial Finance, Law and Ethics in Business, Marketing Management, Business and Society, and Business Strategy.

Established in 1893, New Mexico Highlands University is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Operating under the school motto of Artes, Scientiae, Humanitates “Arts, Science, Humanities,” the university was originally founded under the leadership of well-known archaeologist Edgar Lee Hewett as New Mexico Normal School with the express intent of training New Mexico-based public school teachers. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to the student body of 3,322 currently enrolled. Home of the Cowboys and Cowgirls, the athletic department at NMHU supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Rocky Mountain Conference. The school’s official colors are purple and white.

Affordability Score: Very Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 85.70

Methodology

To find the top Online MBA programs in New Mexico, a list of over 480 online MBA programs was collected, and each program was evaluated first for a location in the state of New Mexico, and then ranked on the following factors:

Estimated Tuition Cost (25%): Each online MBA degree was evaluated to find the estimated total base tuition cost. All data was gathered from the most recent tuition information given on each program or school website. The base tuition was calculated for the entirety of the program, but does not included fees, books, or room and board; with the exception of MBA programs that use all-inclusive figures. For colleges that offer a lower in-state tuition, the in-state pricing is used. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

Based on this base tuition data, each program is given an Affordability Score:

Very Expensive = $100,000+
Expensive = $50,000-$99,999
Above Average = $30,000-$49,999
Average = $20,000-$29,999
Affordable = $15,000-$19,999
Very Affordable = $0-$14,999

Accreditation (25%): Accreditation plays an important role in education. It shows which school has gone to extensive measures to attain high national and global standards in its research and delivered education. Each program in this top online MBA list is evaluated on whether it holds a regional accreditation from one of the six institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional business accreditations affect an MBA’s brand and prestige, which can then affect a graduate’s competitive advantage in the job market. Each school is evaluated on if the online MBA program is accredited from one of the top business accrediting institutions: ACBSP, IACBE, or AACSB. AACSB is regarded as the highest standard of business accreditation in the world, and thus schools that hold this accreditation are given the highest scores. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

Average Base Salary (25%): The average base salary data is highlighted in this top online MBA ranking because it allows prospective students to explore the affect an online MBA degree can have on a professional’s salary. The average base salary is collected from the 2018 Best Business School Ranking by US News and World Report. Programs without a recorded salary from US News and World Report was calculated at zero because of no available third-party data. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

Prestige (25%): The prestige for each program is calculated by evaluating lists from some of the most prestigious educational rankings systems for online MBA programs: US News and World Report’s Online MBA Ranking, the Princeton Review’s Online MBA Ranking, the Financial Times’ Global Online MBA Ranking, and Quacquarelli Symonds’ Distance Online MBA Ranking. Each online MBA was evaluated on how many rankings include their program. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

All factors were weighted equally, averaged, and then calculated on a 100-point scale. This score is the OMBAT Ranking Score, which provides the ranking order for this list. By evaluating the tuition cost, accreditation, average base salary, and prestige, this ranking helps prospective students find the highest quality online MBA programs in New Mexico.