University of New Mexico College of Nursing Programs: What to Know (2026)
BSN, RN-to-BSN, and DNP at University of New Mexico College of Nursing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. First-time NCLEX-RN was 85.61% (first-time (NM BON, CY 2025, UNM CON BSN row). Compare admissions requirements in Albuquerque.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UNM’s College of Nursing sits on the Health Sciences campus in Albuquerque and publicly emphasizes rural and underserved care, a nationally-ranked nurse-midwifery track, and a broad pre-licensure BSN portfolio (including dual-degree options with community colleges). Use the official Apply and Bursar pages together—entrance exams, fees, and tuition bands differ by pathway and term.
Overview & Why Students Choose UNM
The University of New Mexico College of Nursing is part of UNM’s Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque—the state’s flagship academic medical hub. The college publicly markets a Carnegie R1 research environment, a Hispanic-Serving Institution context, and mission-driven attention to rural and underserved populations across New Mexico.
Undergraduate pathways span multiple pre-licensure BSN entry options (including Rio Rancho, Freshman Direct-Entry, dual ADN/BSN partnerships, and an Accelerated Second Degree track), plus an online RN-to-BSN completion program. Graduate offerings highlighted on the current program hub include post-bachelor’s and post-master’s DNP concentrations, a post-graduate APRN certificate, and a mostly online PhD.
According to the New Mexico Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates PDF (End of Year 2025 table, row University of NM CON BSN NMNEC), the 2025 calendar-year first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 85.61% (119 of 139). UNM’s Programs page may also show aggregate licensure exam figures; always reconcile cohort definitions with the Board table and UNM.
Reasons students choose UNM College of Nursing
Broad pre-licensure portfolio
Five pre-licensure BSN entry models—campus locations, direct entry from high school, dual-degree NMNEC partnerships, and ABSN—let students match timeline and geography to their background.
Graduate practice & research ladders
Post-bachelor’s DNP offers six APRN or leadership concentrations; the PhD is pitched as primarily online with policy and equity-focused concentrations.
Simulation & skills infrastructure
UNM promotes high-fidelity simulation and skills training as core to pre-licensure preparation before hospital and community rotations.
Statewide partnerships
Dual-degree pathways with CNM, San Juan College, SFCC, and UNM branch campuses illustrate how UNM extends access beyond central Albuquerque.
Diversity & mission alignment
Public materials cite large enrollment, high underrepresented-student representation, and scholarship dollars—useful context if you value federally designated HSI culture and underserved-community focus.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following reflects UNM’s current public Nursing Programs hub, BSN, DNP, PhD, and certificate pages. Programs are grouped by pre-licensure, post-licensure, graduate practice, and research—consistent with how UNM markets pathways.
Pre-licensure (BSN)
Pre-licensure BSN (multiple options)
Designed for non-RNs pursuing initial RN licensure. UNM lists Health Sciences Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Freshman Direct-Entry, NMNEC dual-degree (partner colleges), and Accelerated Second Degree (ABSN) options.
Post-licensure
RN-to-BSN
Online BSN completion for licensed (or licensure-pending) RNs with rolling admissions per UNM’s BSN overview.
Graduate practice & certificates
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate
For nurses who already hold a graduate nursing degree and want an additional APRN specialty; concentrations align with UNM’s APRN tracks (e.g., AGACNP, FNP, midwifery, pediatrics, PMHNP).
Post-Bachelor’s DNP
Six concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Family NP, Nurse-Midwifery, Nursing Administrative Leadership, Pediatric NP–Primary Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health NP.
Post-Master’s DNP
For nurses with a prior MSN or related master’s who seek the practice doctorate; separate application window than select post-bachelor’s tracks.
Research doctorate
PhD in Nursing
Primarily online PhD preparing nurse scientists; UNM highlights concentrations in health policy and health equity and preparedness.
Historical UNM pages have referenced Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) specialties. The live program directory reviewed for this guide centers on BSN, RN-to-BSN, DNP, PhD, and post-graduate certificate. Ask admissions whether any standalone MSN tracks remain open to new applicants or have transitioned to DNP pathways.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the New Mexico Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates PDF (End of Year 2025 table, program row University of NM CON BSN NMNEC), first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by calendar year were:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN (calendar year) | 85.61% (119 of 139 first-time candidates) |
| 2024 | 92.95% (145 of 156) |
| 2023 | 92.74% (166 of 179) |
| 2022 | 86.38% (145 of 167) |
| 2021 | 78.48% (124 of 158) |
| Program row (NM BON table) | University of NM CON BSN NMNEC |
| Source | New Mexico Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF). Confirm current rates with the NM BON and UNM. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the New Mexico Board of Nursing and UNM.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
UNM’s Apply page notes that foreign academic records must be evaluated by a recognized service (e.g., WES) before application review, and the Global Education Office handles transcript evaluation questions. Internationally educated nurses must also follow New Mexico Board of Nursing licensure pathways for exams and English proficiency. This section is guidance only—not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- New Mexico Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with UNM Global Education and the New Mexico Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
UNM uses NursingCAS for most undergraduate and graduate nursing applications, and the faculty admissions committee conducts holistic reviews (interviews for graduate programs). Pre-licensure applicants must complete UNM prerequisite coursework with at least a 2.75 GPA on the courses listed on the Apply page, and most tracks require the HESI A2 exam at published minimum scores unless a prior bachelor’s degree exempts the exam.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Direct-Entry BSN | Aug 15–Apr 1 (priority Dec 1) | High school seniors; NursingCAS + UNM admission |
| Pre-licensure BSN | Spring: Aug 1–Oct 15 · Fall: Nov 1–Apr 1 | Confirm term in NursingCAS |
| Accelerated BSN | Nov 1–Apr 1 | Fall cohort; 16-month curriculum |
| RN-to-BSN | Multiple starts | Jan 1, Mar 1, May 15, Aug 1, Oct 1 deadlines listed |
| PhD (fall) | Aug 15–May 1 (priority Dec 1) | NursingCAS + Graduate Studies |
| Post-Bachelor’s DNP (most) | Aug 15–Apr 1 (priority Dec 1) | Per concentration on deadlines page |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate (Nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Prerequisite GPA | 2.75 minimum on listed courses (pre-licensure BSN) |
| HESI A2 | Required for pre-licensure BSN with minimum 75% overall and per-subject scores (or prior bachelor’s per pathway) |
| Graduate GPA | 3.0+ typical for DNP; PhD often 3.5+ on most recent degree |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
University-wide tuition is set by the UNM Bursar’s Office and published as downloadable PDF schedules for undergraduate, graduate main campus, and graduate Health Sciences Center (HSC) bands. Nursing students may fall under different rate tables depending on level, campus, and term—always match the PDF to your admit term.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition | Published in Fall/Spring/Summer undergraduate PDFs (per-credit and flat-rate bands for full-time loads) |
| Graduate HSC tuition | Published in Graduate HSC PDFs (distinct from main-campus graduate rates) |
| Mandatory fees | Listed separately on Bursar mandatory-fee schedules |
| Source | UNM Bursar — Tuition and Fee Rates (PDFs for 2025–2026 and prior years). Confirm billed charges with Student Accounts. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
For BSN NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates, use the New Mexico Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates PDF (row University of NM CON BSN NMNEC). UNM’s Programs page also lists aggregate RN/APRN exam figures—treat those as school-reported snapshots and confirm cohort definitions.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (BSN, CY 2025) | 85.61% (119 of 139) per NM BON NCLEX Pass Rates PDF — confirm with Board and school. |
| APRN certification exams (examples on UNM programs page) | FNP 89.5%; CNM 100%; PNP-PC 100%; PMHNP 90%; AGACNP 100% (school-reported labels; confirm year/methodology with UNM) |
| Job Placement / Employment | Not publicly disclosed on the pages summarized here |
| Source | NM BON NCLEX Pass Rates; UNM Nursing Programs. Confirm current outcomes with UNM and the Board. |
Is UNM College of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Choose UNM if you want a public, research-intensive nursing school embedded in New Mexico’s largest academic health center, with explicit emphasis on rural and underserved care and multiple BSN entry points.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value a Hispanic-Serving Institution environment and mission-driven community health focus.
- Want ABSN, dual-degree ADN/BSN, or Rio Rancho/Albuquerque options without leaving the state.
- Plan to progress to DNP or PhD within the same university system.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a guaranteed seat or published acceptance rate—UNM does not publish nursing-specific admit rates.
- Expect a small private-college cohort experience; UNM is a large public university.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
UNM’s Health Sciences campus sits next to UNM Hospital, the state’s only academic medical center with Level I trauma designation—giving nursing students access to high-acuity learning environments. Albuquerque anchors additional systems such as Presbyterian Healthcare Services and Lovelace Health System, plus Indian Health Service and community clinics serving rural and Tribal communities.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| University of New Mexico Hospital | Flagship academic medical center adjacent to the Health Sciences campus; major referral hub for New Mexico. |
| Presbyterian & Lovelace networks | Large multi-hospital systems in the Albuquerque metro for varied clinical rotations. |
| Rural & Tribal partners | UNM emphasizes placements serving underserved populations—confirm sites each term with the college. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
UNM College of Nursing highlights a Simulation Center with high-fidelity scenarios before community and hospital practica. Admissions and recruitment are housed in College of Nursing Building 214 (Strategic & Enrollment Services). Student support includes advising, diversity and inclusion programming, and financial aid resources—the college notes substantial scholarship dollars awarded in recent academic years on its program overview.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Albuquerque, NM
- Address
- College of Nursing, Building 214, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, US
- Telephone
- 505-272-4721
- Contact email
- hsc-con-admissions@salud.unm.edu
- Website
- hsc.unm.edu/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open the UNM College of Nursing Apply page and identify your pathway (Direct-Entry, pre-licensure, dual degree, ABSN, RN-to-BSN, or graduate).
- Create or update your NursingCAS account if your track requires it.
- Schedule the HESI A2 (or partner college TEAS/HESI for dual-degree) if required; verify minimum scores for your cycle.
- Download the matching Bursar tuition PDF for undergraduate vs graduate HSC.
- Attend a virtual information session or book an advising appointment.
- Bookmark the New Mexico Board of Nursing for licensure rules and exam applications.
- Add your NursingCAS deadline to your calendar in Mountain Time (UNM closes applications at 10:00 p.m. MST on listed dates).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for UNM’s Albuquerque CON BSN (NMNEC) program?
According to the New Mexico Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates PDF (End of Year 2025 table, row “University of NM CON BSN NMNEC”), the 2025 calendar-year first-time pass rate was 85.61% (119 of 139). Confirm the latest cohort with the NM BON and UNM.
Where are UNM undergraduate and graduate nursing tuition rates published?
The UNM Bursar’s Office publishes tuition and fee rate PDFs by level and campus band—including main undergraduate schedules and separate Health Sciences Center graduate schedules. Use the PDF that matches your program level and term.
Does UNM pre-licensure BSN require TEAS or HESI?
UNM’s Apply page lists the HESI A2 entrance exam for the Pre-Licensure BSN option with minimum scores, or a prior bachelor’s degree in another field in lieu of the exam for that pathway. Dual-degree applicants follow the partner college’s exam rules (TEAS or HESI depending on site).
What graduate pathways does UNM emphasize on its current program hub?
The public Nursing Programs hub highlights BSN, RN-to-BSN, post-graduate APRN certificate, Post-Bachelor’s and Post-Master’s DNP, and PhD. Ask admissions whether any standalone MSN tracks remain open to new applicants.
What are NursingCAS deadlines for UNM pre-licensure BSN?
Per UNM’s deadlines page: pre-licensure BSN spring applications August 1–October 15 and fall applications November 1–April 1; Freshman Direct-Entry uses August 15–April 1 with a December 1 priority date; Accelerated BSN uses November 1–April 1. Confirm your cycle in NursingCAS.
Is UNM College of Nursing CCNE-accredited?
UNM states that its BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), with a link on the BSN program page. Confirm current program-specific accreditation with CCNE and UNM.
Where do UNM nursing students complete clinical training?
UNM is located on the Health Sciences campus adjacent to UNM Hospital; Albuquerque also hosts large systems such as Presbyterian and Lovelace. Specific rotation sites vary—confirm with the College of Nursing.
What should internationally educated nurses check for UNM and New Mexico?
Use UNM’s Apply page for WES evaluation requirements and GEO for institutional steps, and the New Mexico Board of Nursing RN pages for NCLEX application rules and English proficiency thresholds. Verify all requirements before applying—this is guidance, not legal advice.
References
- UNM College of Nursing — programs hubhsc.unm.edu/nursing/programs
- UNM College of Nursing — Apply (admissions requirements)hsc.unm.edu/nursing/admissions/apply
- UNM College of Nursing — application deadlineshsc.unm.edu/nursing/admissions/apply/deadlines
- UNM Bursar — tuition and fee rates (PDFs)bursar.unm.edu/tuition-and-fees
- New Mexico Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rates (PDF)files.bon.nm.gov/WebDocs/NCLEX Pass Rates.pdf
- New Mexico Board of Nursingbon.nm.gov
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Sid Balal, RGN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for accuracy of UNM program listings, Bursar tuition sourcing, and NCLEX language aligned with UNM and New Mexico Board of Nursing materials.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the New Mexico Board of Nursing.
Published: Mar 27, 2026· Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy