Best Online Nursing Programs in Las Cruces, NM (2026)
Las Cruces, New Mexico has a population of about 112,612. The city’s median household income is $55,176 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Las Cruces, with tuition ranging from $2,616 to $25,271 per year. In New Mexico, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $214,810 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Las Cruces
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Las Cruces city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | Las Cruces, NM | 1.0 mi | $8,147 - $25,271 | – |
| New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | Las Cruces, NM | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso, TX | 42.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| El Paso Community College | El Paso, TX | 45.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New Mexico State University-Alamogordo | Alamogordo, NM | 64.8 mi | $2,616 - $13,482 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Mexico schools on the New Mexico nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Las Cruces
Las Cruces is part of the Las Cruces, NM metro area (BLS area code 29740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Mexico statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,520 | Las Cruces, NM | $89,268 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,600 | Las Cruces, NM | $68,293 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $214,810 | NM statewide | $238,149 |
| Nurse Midwife | $118,650 | NM statewide | $131,541 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,580 | Las Cruces, NM | $140,333 |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,460 | Las Cruces, NM | $38,204 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Las Cruces at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,176 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Doña Ana County | 4,697 workers, 57 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Las Cruces-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Socorro, TX – 56.8 mi away (33,277 pop)
- Alamogordo, NM – 61.6 mi away (32,782 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Las Cruces, NM?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Las Cruces. The closest is New Mexico State University-Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is New Mexico State University-Alamogordo (64.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Las Cruces?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Las Cruces are: Nurse Anesthetist ($214,810), Nurse Practitioner ($126,580), Nurse Midwife ($118,650). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Mexico statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Socorro instead of Las Cruces?
Socorro, TX is 56.8 miles from Las Cruces and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Las Cruces an affordable place to study nursing?
Las Cruces’s median household income of $55,176 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Las Cruces while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Mexico public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.