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Finance Programs and Careers in New Mexico

This guide to finance schools in New Mexico provides information about different degree programs and program options for students. Several of New Mexico’s universities offer undergraduate programs in finance as well as Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs with Finance concentrations for those interested in graduate studies. Full-time students can choose accelerated programs and working professionals can choose flexible, part-time programs, including fully online programs. Some schools offer additional finance-related concentrations and graduate certificates. Continue reading to find out details about programs, degree requirements, and possible career opportunities in finance in the state.

Quick Facts

  • There are 5 colleges and universities with finance degree programs in New Mexico.1
  • 2 schools offer a certificate in finance.1
  • No schools offer an associate’s degree in finance.1
  • 5 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in finance.1
  • 4 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in finance.1
  • No schools ranked in Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019.2
  • No schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020.3
  • No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021.4
  • No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Finance Programs 2021.5

For not-for-profit colleges and universities with finance degree programs.

Table of Contents

New Mexico Finance Program Comparison

We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in New Mexico from not-for-profit schools that offer programs with a concentration in finance. In addition to allowing you to compare the business school’s accreditation, finance degrees that appear in bold are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Programs, those that have been recognized for curricula aligned to preparing for the CFA Exam.

SchoolAccreditationFinance Degree(s)Acceptance Rate6Grad Rate1Online Options?Median Debt7Net Price1
Eastern New Mexico UniversityACBSPBAAS-Personal Financial Planning;
BBA-Applied Economics and Finance;
BBA-Personal Financial Planning
N.Av.36%Yes$8,276$10,338
New Mexico Highlands UniversityACBSPBBA-Finance;
Certificate: Finance;
MBA-Finance;
Minor-Finance
N.Av.22%Yes$9,409$10,617
New Mexico State UniversityAACSBBBA-Finance;
BBA-Finance: Banking and Financial Planning;
BBA-Finance: Entrepreneurial Finance;
BBA-Finance: Financial Analysis;
BBA-Finance: Risk Management and Insurance;
Certificate: Finance;
MBA-Finance;
Minor-Finance;
Minor-Risk and Management
N.Av.48%$10,500$9,930
University of New MexicoAACSBBBA-Finance;
MBA-Financial Management
N.Av.54%$12,500$11,368
University of the SouthwestBBA-Finance;
MBA-Finance
N.Av.32%$9,500$20,169

  • — indicates none.
  • N.Av. indicates no data available.

Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in New Mexico

Georgetown CEW’s ROI Ranking by Long-Term Net Present Value 2019

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) has compared 4,500 colleges and universities on graduates’ return on investment (ROI). We use their net present value (NPV) ranking, which is the current dollar value of earning a four-year degree from the school over a 40-year horizon.

  • University of New Mexico (#1,976; $755,000)
  • University of the Southwest (#1,976; $755,000)
  • New Mexico Highland University (#1,990; $753,000)
  • New Mexico State University (#2,136; $736,000)
  • Eastern New Mexico University (#3,014; $630,000)7

Select Schools in New Mexico with Finance Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University’s (ENMU) College of Business offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning. This emphasis is ideal for students interested in pursuing a career in financial planning, accounting, insurance, or banking and investments. The curriculum focuses on familiarizing students with budgeting, estate planning, insurance planning, retirement planning, savings planning, and tax planning. The student-to-faculty ratio is low at 17:1, which allows students the ability to receive individual attention and guidance. Courses include Personal Finance; Business Risk Management and Insurance; Investments: Principles and Policies; Tax Planning; Retirement Planning; Estate Planning; and Financial Plan Development. Students must receive a minimum of a “C” in all required courses to fulfill the emphasis requirements. ENMU also offers a Financial Planning Certificate, which prepares students to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) examination.

University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico (UNM) Anderson School of Management offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a concentration in Finance. The program is AACSB-accredited. Classrooms are capped at 60 students, with most classes having 40 students or less, offering greater opportunities for interaction. Composed of 120 credit hours, the degree offers classes ranging from liberal arts and the sciences to education, law, and business. Core Finance courses include Advanced Corporate Finance; Investment Analysis and Management; Strategic Management; Financial Management; and Financial Markets and Institutions. Placement services are available to assist students with their career decisions. Graduates from UNM have had careers in the Air Force Research Laboratory, Central New Mexico Community College, University of New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratories, US Bank, and Wells Fargo.

Traditional Master’s Programs

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) College of Business offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in Finance. Students can complete their degrees on a full-time or part-time basis and finish in two to three years. Courses are taught in the evening or in a hybrid classroom and online format, and students can also complete the degree entirely online. Undergraduate students already studying at NMSU may qualify for an accelerated MBA by completing select courses as undergraduates. The curriculum emphasizes an understanding of business practices, problem-solving strategies, and the people skills needed to be a leader in the global market. The MBA with a Finance concentration track is designed for students searching for employment in corporate finance or investment areas, with classes such as Money and Capital Markets, Investment Concepts, and Derivative Markets and Securities.

University of New Mexico

At the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) Anderson School of Management, students can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in Financial Management. Students can choose a part-time or full-time course load, and evening classes are available. UNM’s Anderson School of Management is an AACSB accredited program. The MBA in Financial Management track requires 43 credit hours. The Financial Management concentration includes specialized courses in subjects like banking, investments, insurance, managing money flow, real estate, and financial services. Students learn how to source funding, identify and manage risk, and when to make capital expenditures. Potential careers include marketing manager, sales manager, sales agent, and public relations and funding specialist. All courses in the MBA program at UNM focus on developing leadership skills and problem-solving strategies for today’s business challenges.

Online and Hybrid Programs

New Mexico Highlands University

New Mexico Highlands University’s (NMHU) Department of Business Administration offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a focus in Finance. The degree can be earned on-campus and online, offering a flexible schedule to fit students’ needs. Core courses in the Finance concentration include Advanced Corporate Finance; Financial Markets and Institutions; Investments; International Finance; and Financial Statement Analysis. The required credit hours for the program total 120-125, depending on the student’s placement scores. The curriculum focuses on real-world application and teaches in-demand skills. As students earn their degree they will build a professional portfolio that will prepare them for outside careers. Graduates from NMHU can be found in careers such as financial management, personal financial advising, banking, and the appraisal of real estate.

University of the Southwest

At the University of the Southwest, students can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Finance online in as little as 12 months. There are no prerequisite courses to complete for admission and the required digital textbooks and laptop are included in the program’s tuition. Students start with core classes such as Business Analytics and Econometrics, Leadership, and Marketing Concepts and Strategies. The Finance specialization focuses on financial methodologies and is ideal for students interested in the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification, securities licensing, or general careers in the finance industry. Core courses in the Finance specialization include Multinational Financial Management; Financial Reporting; Small Business Finance; Financial Planning and Investment Analysis; and Organizational Design and Strategy.

New Mexico Finance Careers and Salary Outlook

Graduates with degrees in finance may have an advantage in finding related roles at one of New Mexico’s many companies, nonprofits, or governmental organizations. New Mexico’s urban centers include Albuquerque and Santa Fe as well as smaller centers such as Las Cruces and Taos. The federal government maintains several military bases in New Mexico, and the state also has some oil and gas production companies. The financial industry in New Mexico is home to local banks such as New Mexico & Trust and financial companies like Heritage Trust Company of New Mexico. Large organizations headquartered in New Mexico, such as Sandia National Labs, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the University of New Mexico, can also provide opportunities for finance grads.

Financial analysts in the state earn an average of $84,540 annually; though lower than the national average of $94,160, these positions are projected to grow by 10.3% in New Mexico through 2028.8,9,10 Financial manager positions in the state are projected to grow by 15.6%, slightly below the national average of 16%.10 Personal financial advisors in the state earn an average of $124,790 annually, which is above the national average of $119,290.8,11 Furthermore, Santa Fe is one of the top-paying metropolitan areas in the country for personal financial advisors, with an average annual salary of $173,970.8,11

New Mexico Finance Salary Information

OccupationNumber Employed8Average Salary8
Business and Financial Operations Occupations38,430$70,200
Financial and Investment Analysts and Other Specialists1,870$84,540
Financial Examiners80$82,050
Financial Managers2,090$107,260
Loan Officers1,550$61,190
Personal Financial Advisors310$124,790

Finance Associations in New Mexico

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Forbes Best Business Schools 2019: https://www.forbes.com/business-schools/list/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2020 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2019.
4. US News & World Report Best Undergraduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
5. US News & World Report Best Graduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/finance-rankings
6. US News & World Report Best Business Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools
7. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Ranking ROI of 4,500 US Colleges and Universities: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/CollegeROI/
8. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, New Mexico: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nm.htm
9. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes132098.htm
10. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/projections/longterm
11. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Personal Financial Advisors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132052.htm