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Best New Mexico Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 187 private schools serving 23,476 students in New Mexico (there are 925 public schools, serving 317,975 students). 7% of all K-12 students in New Mexico attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $8,767 for elementary schools and $9,989 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in New Mexico include Albuquerque Academy, New Mexico Military Institute, and Camino De Paz School.
The average acceptance rate is 84% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 50% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
62% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Christian or Catholic.

Overview

This State (NM)
US
# Schools
187 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
23,476 Students
5,710,445 Students
% Average Students of Color
50%
34%

Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
2,346 Teachers
508,029 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
58%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
8 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1238
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$8,739
$14,888
Average Summer Program Cost
$851
$1,163
Average % on Financial Aid
32%
34%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$4,837
$7,117
Average Acceptance Rate
84%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$61.38 million
$62.08 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.74
0.65
# American Indian Students
2,110 Students
30,181 Students
% American Indian Students
10%
1%
# Asian Students
580 Students
265,311 Students
% Asian Students
2%
5%
# Hispanic Students
5,015 Students
507,916 Students
% Hispanic Students
23%
9%
# Black Students
430 Students
417,221 Students
% Black Students
2%
7%
# White Students
8,016 Students
2,937,824 Students
% White Students
37%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
19 Students
22,255 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
5,610 Students
1,473,932 Students
% of Others Students
26%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports

Top-Ranked New Mexico Private Schools by County (2026)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
8
1,304
11%
25
2,433
11%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in New Mexico?
The top-ranked private schools in New Mexico include Albuquerque Academy, New Mexico Military Institute, and Camino De Paz School.
How many private schools are located in New Mexico?
There are 187 private schools are located in New Mexico.
How much do private schools cost in New Mexico?
The average private school tuition in New Mexico is $8,767 for elementary schools and $9,989 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in New Mexico?
Approximately 50% of students in New Mexico private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in New Mexico go to private school?
7% of all K-12 students in New Mexico attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in New Mexico?
62% of private schools in New Mexico are religiously affiliated, with most being Christian or Catholic.
Which private schools in New Mexico are often viewed compared to one another?

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