University of New Mexico-Main Campus

“New Mexico's flagship R1 research university and Hispanic-Serving Institution”

The University of New Mexico (UNM) is New Mexico's flagship public research university — a Carnegie R1 doctoral institution, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and a major Native American Serving Nontribal Institution. Founded in 1889, UNM occupies a 600-acre main campus in Albuquerque defined by its distinctive Pueblo Revival architecture (championed by John Gaw Meem), a style that ties every major building — from the historic Hodgin Hall to the modern Zimmerman Library — to the landscape and cultural heritage of the American Southwest. Total enrollment is approximately 22,500, with around 17,800 undergraduates across ten schools and colleges on the main campus. Academically, UNM is best known for a cluster of research strengths built on New Mexico's unique position in nuclear science, space, and Latin American studies. The School of Engineering's nuclear engineering program is consistently ranked among the top 15-20 nationally (leveraging proximity to Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Kirtland Air Force Base), and its graduate programs in family medicine, primary care, and clinical training are nationally ranked. The Anderson School of Management — AACSB-accredited, putting it in the top 6% of business schools globally — offers BBA, MBA, MS in Cybersecurity and Business Analytics, and MS in Project Management. The Latin American & Iberian Institute is one of the strongest area-studies programs in North America, and the College of Fine Arts has a nationally regarded photography and studio arts tradition. The College of Nursing is ranked among the top 100 nationally. Undergraduate research is heavily supported, with direct pathways to DOE national-lab internships that are uncommon elsewhere. For international students, UNM's biggest differentiator is the International Amigo Scholarship — a flagship program that grants qualifying international undergraduates the in-state tuition rate, a savings of over $20,000/year (effectively dropping total undergraduate tuition to around $10,000/year). All undergraduate international applicants are automatically considered (no extra paperwork needed) based on high school GPA and optional SAT/ACT scores. UNM is also a SEVP-certified institution with a long-standing International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office that provides F-1 advising, immigration support, workshops, and cultural programming throughout the year. The Lobos compete in NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference, and Albuquerque offers a unique combination of high-desert climate, vibrant Indigenous and Hispanic cultural scene, and the lowest cost of living among US flagship university cities.