New Mexico Higher Education Department Warns of Potential Tuition Increases for Fall 2025

Some welcome news for New Mexico college students: the state’s Department of Higher Education (NMHED) is working to make higher education more affordable, and one university has already taken steps to help ease financial burdens. Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) recently announced it will not increase tuition or fees for the upcoming fall semester, providing some relief to students.

On Friday, ENMU’s Board of Regents approved a zero-percent increase in tuition and fees for the fourth consecutive year. ENMU Chancellor James Johnston explained that the decision was based on a commitment to keeping costs predictable for students. “Raising tuition just for the sake of raising it doesn’t make sense to us. We want to operate in a way that doesn’t put unnecessary financial strain on students,” he said. This approach aims to prevent students from starting their education only to face unaffordable costs before they finish their degrees.

NMHED also noted that four-year colleges in the state did not increase tuition rates for the current academic year. However, other universities are expected to release their tuition rates for the 2025 academic year after the spring legislative session. Early forecasting indicates potential tuition increases ranging from 0.7% to 9%.

Cabinet Secretary of NMHED, Stephanie Rodriguez, pointed to national trends where tuition rates are generally rising across higher education institutions. “At the end of the day, these increases impact students or are offset by state and federal support, like the Lottery Scholarship and Opportunity Scholarship in New Mexico,” Rodriguez explained.

The state’s Opportunity Scholarship, which offers tuition-free college for most residents, has been particularly effective in reversing the national trend of rising tuition costs. Rodriguez highlighted this as a key factor in the 9.2% increase in student enrollment in New Mexico colleges. “We’re seeing more students enrolling, thanks to increased funding and opportunity for higher education,” she said.

New Mexico has significantly boosted its funding for higher education, growing the budget from less than $1 million to over $1.4 billion. These funds are directed towards scholarships and initiatives to make higher education more accessible and affordable for students across the state.

ENMU’s decision and New Mexico’s broader efforts reflect a growing commitment to support students and increase enrollment, ensuring that higher education remains within reach for more residents.

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