These are the best value colleges in New Mexico, according to a ranking

Choosing a college can be a daunting task. Luckily, Niche, a data-analysis website focused on schools, has made the search a little easier.

Niche ranked the best-value colleges in New Mexico based on various factors. The ranking considers net price, alumni earnings, graduation rates, and student debt, using data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with millions of reviews from students and alumni

Learn more about the top eight colleges below.

1. New Mexico Tech

New Mexico Tech (NMT) is a small, four-year public school. Admissions are somewhat competitive at NMT, with a 74% acceptance rate. Popular majors include mechanical engineering, computer science, and chemical engineering. NMT is also ranked among the top 20 best-value colleges in the United States.

2. Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) is a Division II public school that offers strong financial aid, with 98% of students receiving assistance. ENMU is a selective institution with a 33% acceptance rate.

3. New Mexico Highlands University

New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) is a small public university with a reported 987 undergraduate students. The school has a 96% acceptance rate. The average cost to attend NMHU is $10,852 per year. NMHU offers both online and on-campus courses, with 42% of students learning through a mix of online and on-campus options.

4. Western New Mexico University

Western New Mexico University has a $30 application fee and is SAT/ACT-optional. The university has a 100% acceptance rate; however, some popular programs may have more selective admissions due to high demand. WNMU offers 26 fully online programs.

5. New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University has a 51% graduation rate. The institution is best known for its agricultural science studies and ranks 31st in the country. The application fee for NMSU is $25, and the acceptance rate is 78%. SAT scores for applicants range from 900 to 1,140, and ACT scores range from 17 to 23.

6. University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico has an undergraduate enrollment of 14,171 students. Popular majors include business, nursing, and psychology. Day care services are available on campus for students.

7. Northern New Mexico College

Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) has a 100% acceptance rate. NNMC has a student body of 1,386 undergraduates. The institution offers the flexibility of online courses and allows for accelerated learning, helping students achieve their educational goals in a shorter time frame. The three current fully online programs are business administration, teacher education, and RN to BSN.

8. University of the Southwest

The University of the Southwest (USW) is a private university with a 100% acceptance rate. USW has no application fee and recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores. The average cost of attendance is $20,533 per year, and 100% of students receive financial aid. The most popular major at USW is kinesiology and exercise science.