Best New Mexico FNP Programs (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN
New Mexico is facing a primary healthcare crisis! But as a graduate of one of the FNP programs in New Mexico, you can become part of that crisis’s solution. The Land of Enchantment is a full-practice state for NPs, so as a family nurse practitioner, you’ll be able to practice to the full extent of your training and skills. Plenty of jobs exist for FNPs in New Mexico, and that number is expected to increase by 65 percent over the next 10 years. The high esteem in which family nurse practitioners are held translates into an impressive paycheck: FNPs in the Land of Enchantment earn $135,730 annually. Discover more about the best FNP programs in New Mexico by reading the guide below.
FOLLOWING ARE THE BEST FNP PROGRAMS IN NEW MEXICO (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the best campus-based and online FNP programs in New Mexico.)
1. University of New Mexico - Albuquerque
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post Graduate Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Are you a registered nurse with dreams of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner? Do you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing but want to explore the option of earning a doctoral degree in nursing? If so, I recommend considering the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of New Mexico.
The program follows a three-year schedule consisting of eight consecutive semesters. Core courses are delivered in a hybrid format. Clinical courses follow a block format, consisting of on-campus learning during the first few weeks at the beginning and middle of each semester, followed by four-to-five-week periods of clinical rotations.
The DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program features a 70-credit curriculum, including DNP, Evidence-Based Practice, DNP Systems Thinking & Project, Advanced Practice RN, and Didactic and Clinical FNP courses. After completing core coursework, you will advance to specialty-specific courses and clinicals, taking classes such as Sexual & Reproductive Health Across the Lifespan, Diagnostic Reasoning, Primary Care Concepts, and Clinical Skills & Procedures in Primary Care.
Clinical practicums are an integral part of the learning experience in this FNP program in New Mexico. You will complete 825 hours of hands-on patient care. The Clinical Affairs team finds your clinical placements and selects preceptors for you, ensuring you have the best clinical experiences. You will also have a faculty liaison who works with you and your preceptor throughout the program.
Upon completion of the program, you will earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and be eligible to take the national certification exam through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board or American Nurses Certification Center to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applicants seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at UNM must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college or university with a preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher. If your grade point average is less than 3.0, you may be considered on an individual basis. You will be asked to provide a supplemental statement explaining your grade point average.
All candidates are required to apply via NursingCAS and provide answers to three essay questions, three letters of recommendation, a current resume or CV, and official transcripts from all institutions attended. Additionally, one year of work experience in nursing or a relevant field before beginning the program and a New Mexico RN license are required.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you have already achieved a graduate degree in nursing and now want to specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner, the Post-Graduate Certificate program at the University of New Mexico is a great option. The Post-Graduate Certificate program features a hybrid learning format that consists of synchronous online education combined with hands-on teaching and simulation experiences.
An individualized study plan will be developed for you based on a GAP Analysis of your previous graduate transcripts. Your graduate faculty coordinator will design your program of study to ensure you have all the necessary APN core and concentration-specific courses, and clinical practicum experiences needed for the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty certification. You will complete at least 15 graduate credit hours in the Post-Graduate Certificate pathway.
Post-Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the Post-Graduate Certificate program at UNM, you must have a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from an NLN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program. Although candidates with a 3.0 or higher GPA are preferred, if your average is less than 3.0, you may be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with two years of experience with an APRN license are preferred. Candidates are required to provide three letters of recommendation, three essay responses, a curriculum vitae or resume, official transcripts from any post-secondary school attended, a copy of their New Mexico RN license, and a copy of any APRN license or specialty certifications.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The decision to pursue a graduate degree or post-graduate certificate and become a Family Nurse Practitioner is not one to be taken lightly. Having been a nurse and health educator for many years, I can tell you that having the right support is crucial. While support from friends and family is important, it is also essential to have faculty and advisors to guide you throughout your program. At the University of New Mexico, you will have dedicated support from faculty advisors, preceptors, and program administrators.• One important factor to consider when choosing a school is whether the program is well-ranked. For example, U.S. News & World Report assesses schools based on a set of broad indicators of excellence. U.S. News has ranked the University of New Mexico in several categories, including Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
• The path to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner can be a major investment of not only your time and energy but your finances, as well. At the University of New Mexico, the school offers financial aid opportunities to help reduce the burden of the cost of your degree. Financial aid advisors will work with you to see if you qualify for scholarships, grants, work-study programs, or student loans.
2. New Mexico State University - Las Cruces
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post Graduate APRN Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: New Mexico State University offers a three-year post-bachelor’s DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program. The program admits students annually in the fall semester. This FNP program in New Mexico features a distance-learning format consisting of didactic courses that are delivered primarily asynchronously online.
The BSN-to-DNP program is a 74-credit pathway. The curriculum includes classes such as Diagnostic Reasoning & Advanced Health Assessment, Population Health & the Environment, Health Needs of Women & Children, and FNP Across the Lifespan. In addition to online didactic coursework, you will attend a one-week intensive on campus before the start of the program's third year.
As a student in this program, you will complete over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practicum. Clinicals are arranged in your own community and completed under the supervision of nurse practitioners and physicians.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Prospective students desiring admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at New Mexico State University must have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program and a current, unencumbered RN license. You must first complete an NMSU Graduate School application.
Candidates are asked to provide official transcripts from all the colleges or universities they have attended. Transcripts should show proof of completion of a graduate or undergraduate statistics course and a minimum nursing GPA of 3.0. Additionally, you are required to provide a current CV or resume, a letter of intent, and an admission essay describing an example of a problem faced in clinical practice that could improve patient outcomes if circumstances were to change. Once your application and required documents are reviewed, you may be invited to an interview with the program faculty. The admission interview may be on campus or via videoconference.
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program Details: If you are a Master’s- or doctorally-prepared nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse midwife who wishes to obtain certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program at New Mexico State University could be the perfect choice for you. The program admits students once per year in the fall semester and takes three semesters or one year to complete.
The program features a combination of asynchronous and synchronous online didactic instruction. While coursework is delivered online, there are times when you visit campus. For example, you will attend a two-day orientation during the first week of classes and a week-long Clinical Boot Camp during the summer before the start of the program.
The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate curriculum consists of 18 credits, including 576 clinical hours. Course faculty can assist in identifying clinical preceptors. However, you are responsible for identifying clinical sites and preceptors and presenting them to faculty for approval.
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program, you must possess an active, unrestricted APRN license and be certified as a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, CRNA, or clinical nurse specialist. Candidates are required to have a master’s or doctorate degree in nursing with a college GPA of 3.0 or higher and must have proof of completing three courses: Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology (across the lifespan).
To begin the admission process, complete an application through the NMSU Graduate School and submit the necessary documents. The required documents needed for review include your NP or other APRN certification, transcripts from any nursing programs you have attended or degrees you have earned, a letter of intent specifying your career goals, a current CV or resume, and three references from colleagues in clinical practice.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• As a nurse educator, I believe embracing lifelong learning and interdisciplinary collaboration is essential in promoting nursing education. I encourage potential students to look for schools where the faculty has a proven record of clinical success. For example, when you pursue your degree through New Mexico State University, you will learn from experienced Family Nurse Practitioners and other School of Nursing Faculty with diverse clinical backgrounds. They bring expertise in primary care, adolescent health, pediatrics, women's health, and mental health, ensuring you receive comprehensive instruction that is representative of current trends and models in healthcare.• New Mexico State University School of Nursing reports that DNP and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate FNP program graduates have excellent success on national certification exams. When a program has a high pass rate on national certification tests, this is an excellent indication of the program’s high quality!
• It is estimated that nearly 49 million Americans 12 years old or older have, or have experienced, a substance use disorder in the past year. In the United States, most mental healthcare services focused on substance use disorders are delivered by primary care providers. New Mexico State University understands the importance of preparing practitioners who can help combat substance use disorders and implement preventative measures. The DNP-FNP program is focused on integrated primary and mental health care with the option to add a specialization in substance use disorder prevention, evaluation, and treatment.
3. New Mexico Highlands University - Las Vegas
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Program Details: If you are a registered nurse interested in online FNP programs in New Mexico and want to earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree, New Mexico Highlands University has a program worth considering! The program admits students in the fall each year and can be completed in two to three years, depending on whether you enroll part-time or full-time.
Didactic instruction is exclusively online, giving you the freedom to study when and where you want without the requirement of classroom attendance. The MSN-FNP curriculum consists of 18 core courses totaling 49 credit hours. You will study Pharmacotherapeutics, Primary Care of Children & Adolescents, Interdisciplinary Health Care Delivery & Decision Making, and Evidence-Based Practice.
In addition to online coursework, you will have hands-on learning opportunities, including simulation and clinical practicum experiences. You will participate in a Skills Practicum through which you will learn primary care procedures, including skin incisions and excisions, suturing, wound care, cyst removal, and punch biopsies. Through preceptor-supervised clinicals, you will care for patients from birth through old age. You will complete a minimum of 600 clinical hours providing care to patients experiencing acute and chronic health issues in primary care settings.
MSN Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program, you must have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university and a current, unrestricted RN license (or be NCLEX eligible). Applicants are required to complete an online application and pay an application fee. Supplemental documents to be submitted include an up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae, a professional essay, three nursing references, and official copies of all college/university transcripts. Your transcripts should reflect completion of a Statistics course and a GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred. You may receive provisional admission status with a GPA less than 3.0 if other conditions are met and at the Program Director's discretion.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Despite coursework being offered online, New Mexico Highlands University boasts its strong dedication to developing strong student/faculty relationships through active engagement and support. Program faculty and staff work to create a family-like atmosphere through discussion boards, online forums, and other educational modalities to help you stay engaged.• One way to learn about a nursing program is to look for student surveys or public reviews. I encourage anyone considering going to school to check out social media pages, read reviews left by past and present students, and look on school websites for student surveys and student outcome information. For instance, NMHU's most recent Student Satisfaction Survey Summary indicates that, overall, students are satisfied with the school. The survey asked former students to rank the school in areas including curriculum and instruction, support, overall assessment of their education, preparation for work or graduate school, and satisfaction with the college experience.
• If you know me or have read anything I have written, you know I am all about learning as much as you can! One thing I love about NMHU is you are not limited to earning your MSN and specializing only as an FNP. At New Mexico Highlands University, you can add a cognate concentration to gain skills in specialty care. If you choose the cognate pathway, you will take nine additional graduate-level courses. Currently, the optional cognate concentrations available are Mental Health, Gerontology, Pediatrics, and Women's Health.
HOW MUCH DO FNP GRADUATES MAKE IN NEW MEXICO?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF FNP PROGRAMS IN NEW MEXICO EXPECT?
| Hourly | $48.01 |
| Weekly | $1,920 |
| Monthly | $8,320 |
| Annual | $99,860 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF FNP PROGRAMS IN NEW MEXICO EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $48.01 | $1,920 | $8,320 | $99,860 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $54.32 | $2,173 | $9,420 | $112,990 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $64.12 | $2,565 | $11,110 | $133,370 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $71.41 | $2,856 | $12,380 | $148,530 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $85.34 | $3,413 | $14,790 | $177,500 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE FNP SALARY IN NEW MEXICO?
| Hourly | $65.25 |
| Weekly | $2,610 |
| Monthly | $11,310 |
| Annual | $135,730 |
HOW MUCH DO FNPS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF NEW MEXICO?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Albuquerque | $64.74 | $2,590 | $11,220 | $134,660 |
| Farmington | $61.00 | $2,440 | $10,570 | $126,880 |
| Las Cruces | $58.24 | $2,329 | $10,090 | $121,130 |
| Santa Fe | $64.01 | $2,561 | $11,100 | $133,150 |
FNP SALARY IN NEW MEXICO VS. OTHER SALARIES
FNP SALARY IN NEW MEXICO VS. FNP SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average New Mexico FNP Annual Salary | Average National FNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $135,730 | $127,510 | +$8,220 | +6.45% |
FNP SALARY IN NEW MEXICO VS. FNP SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $160,310 | -$24,580 | -15.33% |
| Nevada | $147,540 | -$11,810 | -8.00% |
| Washington | $144,290 | -$8,560 | -5.93% |
| New Jersey | $143,920 | -$8,190 | -5.69% |
| Oregon | $143,840 | -$8,110 | -5.64% |
| Massachusetts | $142,910 | -$7,180 | -5.02% |
| New York | $141,740 | -$6,010 | -4.24% |
| Connecticut | $135,940 | -$210 | -0.15% |
| New Mexico | $135,730 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Minnesota | $133,980 | +$1,750 | +1.31% |
| District of Columbia | $133,820 | +$1,910 | +1.43% |
| Rhode Island | $132,440 | +$3,290 | +2.48% |
| Hawaii | $131,600 | +$4,130 | +3.14% |
| Arizona | $131,550 | +$4,180 | +3.18% |
| Delaware | $130,110 | +$5,620 | +4.32% |
| Iowa | $129,820 | +$5,910 | +4.55% |
| New Hampshire | $129,740 | +$5,990 | +4.62% |
| Texas | $129,020 | +$6,710 | +5.20% |
| Wisconsin | $127,350 | +$8,380 | +6.58% |
| Maryland | $127,010 | +$8,720 | +6.87% |
| Utah | $126,850 | +$8,880 | +7.00% |
| North Dakota | $126,790 | +$8,940 | +7.05% |
| Pennsylvania | $126,480 | +$9,250 | +7.31% |
| Illinois | $125,930 | +$9,800 | +7.78% |
| Alaska | $125,210 | +$10,520 | +8.40% |
| Vermont | $125,140 | +$10,590 | +8.46% |
| Montana | $123,690 | +$12,040 | +9.73% |
| Idaho | $123,600 | +$12,130 | +9.81% |
| Oklahoma | $123,380 | +$12,350 | +10.01% |
| Wyoming | $122,620 | +$13,110 | +10.69% |
| Indiana | $122,380 | +$13,350 | +10.91% |
| Maine | $122,000 | +$13,730 | +11.25% |
| Ohio | $121,930 | +$13,800 | +11.32% |
| Colorado | $121,060 | +$14,670 | +12.12% |
| Nebraska | $120,750 | +$14,980 | +12.41% |
| North Carolina | $120,660 | +$15,070 | +12.49% |
| Georgia | $120,230 | +$15,500 | +12.89% |
| South Dakota | $120,060 | +$15,670 | +13.05% |
| Virginia | $119,950 | +$15,780 | +13.16% |
| Michigan | $119,760 | +$15,970 | +13.34% |
| Florida | $118,800 | +$16,930 | +14.25% |
| Kansas | $118,360 | +$17,370 | +14.68% |
| Louisiana | $117,760 | +$17,970 | +15.26% |
| Mississippi | $116,590 | +$19,140 | +16.42% |
| South Carolina | $116,050 | +$19,680 | +16.96% |
| Missouri | $115,790 | +$19,940 | +17.22% |
| West Virginia | $112,580 | +$23,150 | +20.56% |
| Arkansas | $112,550 | +$23,180 | +20.60% |
| Kentucky | $109,530 | +$26,200 | +23.92% |
| Alabama | $109,180 | +$26,550 | +24.32% |
| Tennessee | $102,930 | +$32,800 | +31.87% |
FNP SALARY IN NEW MEXICO VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN NEW MEXICO
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $212,950 | -$77,220 | -36.26% |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $135,730 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Midwife | $116,780 | +$18,950 | +16.23% |
| Registered Nurse | $92,140 | +$43,590 | +47.31% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $72,850 | +$62,880 | +86.31% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $56,130 | +$79,600 | +141.81% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,030 | +$98,700 | +266.54% |
FNP SALARY IN NEW MEXICO VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN NEW MEXICO
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $190,530 | -$54,800 | -28.76% |
| Podiatrist | $152,490 | -$16,760 | -10.99% |
| Optometrist | $146,280 | -$10,550 | -7.21% |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $135,730 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physician Assistant | $133,140 | +$2,590 | +1.95% |
| Pharmacist | $131,420 | +$4,310 | +3.28% |
| Veterinarian | $121,430 | +$14,300 | +11.78% |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,740 | +$34,990 | +34.73% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,470 | +$35,260 | +35.10% |
| Physical Therapist | $98,290 | +$37,440 | +38.09% |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,100 | +$43,630 | +47.37% |
| Audiologist | $81,880 | +$53,850 | +65.77% |
| Chiropractor | $76,840 | +$58,890 | +76.64% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits FNP Programs In New Mexico?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited FNP Schools Are There In New Mexico?
| 3 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Family NP Make Per Hour In New Mexico?
| $65.25 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Family NP Make Per Week In New Mexico?
| $2,610 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Family NP Make Per Month In New Mexico?
| $11,310 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Family NP Make Per Year In New Mexico?
| $135,730 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For FNPs In New Mexico?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +64.78% |
Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
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