The University of New Mexico improved to No. 187 in the recently released 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, a jump of 31 spots from last year. The list includes more than 350 surveyed institutions.

“UNM's faculty, students, and staff should be proud to see our academic quality reflected in the latest US News and World Report Rankings,” said James Paul Holloway, UNM provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Excellence in research and scholarship is the foundation of our academic success, and on this foundation, we have built a rich educational environment that is the best in New Mexico.  All Lobos, through their work and accomplishments, are contributing essential talent to the future of our state.

US News & World Report
'Best Colleges' rankings

  • No. 71 - Top Performers on Social Mobility
     
  • No. 90 - Undergraduate Engineering
     
  • No. 95 - Top Public Schools
     
  • No. 104 - Computer Science 
     
  • No. 132 - Business Programs

Overall, UNM had five additional programs/schools ranked among the top in the nation. UNM was listed No. 90 for undergraduate engineering and is the only engineering program in New Mexico to rank in the top 100. More than 200 doctoral-granting programs across the nation were ranked. The U.S. News rankings of undergraduate engineering programs are based on the opinions of deans and senior faculty at peer institutions from a survey distributed in spring 2020.

“Even in these challenging times for higher education, UNM Engineering continues to excel,” said Christos Christodoulou, Jim and Ellen King Dean of Engineering and Computing. “We continue to emphasize quality teaching experiences for students, as well as providing undergraduates with meaningful research opportunities, and resources for internships and jobs that prepare our graduates for the workforce.”

Other top performers recognized include a top performer in social mobility (No. 71), top public schools (No. 95), computer science (No. 104), and business programs (No. 132). Statewide, UNM has the best national rankings among New Mexico universities including the categories of top public school and undergraduate and graduate engineering.

For the past 36 years, U.S. News & World Report has produced the Best Colleges rankings. Schools in the National Universities category offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and Ph.D. programs. The list compares bachelor’s degree-granting institutions and rates them based on outcomes, faculty resources expert opinion, financial resources, student excellence, and alumni giving. 

“These rankings reflect the remarkable education our students receive, as well as UNM’s positive impact on our region, the state, and nation," said Dan Garcia, vice president for Enrollment Management. "It’s an increasing recognition of the value of a UNM degree for future careers, graduates’ quality of life, and contributions to our state’s workforce.”

For more information, visit US News Best Colleges.