University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM · founded 1889 · 22,000 students · public research university · Mountain West Conference

Known for: A major research university and the state's flagship, renowned for its programs in health sciences, law, and its unique Pueblo Revival architecture that reflects the culture of the Southwest.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #212
QS World: #551
Times Higher Education: #401

Top programmes

Health Sciences (Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy)
Law
Anthropology and Archaeology
Psychology
Fine Arts
Engineering

Notable alumni

Bill Richardson — Former Governor of New Mexico and U.S. Ambassador to the UN
Rudolfo Anaya — Author of 'Bless Me, Ultima'
Jeff Bezos — Founder of Amazon (attended briefly)
Demetrius Johnson — UFC Flyweight Champion
Kathleen Madigan — Comedian
George R. R. Martin — Author of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (attended)
Bruce King — Former Governor of New Mexico

Traditions

The Red Rally before athletic events
Lobo Howl (student section at games)
Hanging of the Greens holiday event
Fiestas (annual student celebration)

If University of New Mexico were…

As a food: Green chile stew — Distinctly New Mexican, warming without being heavy, adaptable to whatever you add to it, and carries a kick that sneaks up on you—UNM has that same unpretentious complexity, blending cultures and flavors into something
As an athlete: Steve Alford — Former Lobo basketball coach who brought The Pit back to relevance—solid, workmanlike, not flashy, but got results and understood that UNM's identity is deeply tied to basketball tradition and scrappy underdog energy.
As a person alive today: Neil Patrick Harris — Albuquerque native who's talented, versatile, and carries himself with an understated cool—UNM has that same multi-dimensional identity, blending arts, sciences, and social consciousness without needing to be the loudest
As a historical figure: Georgia O'Keeffe — Fell in love with New Mexico's landscape and light, created bold work that defied convention, and built a legacy around independence and artistic vision—UNM attracts that same spirit of people drawn to the desert's stark
As a movie or TV show: Breaking Bad — Set in Albuquerque, visually stunning, gritty and real, with layers of complexity beneath the surface—UNM exists in that same landscape, where the desert backdrop frames stories of transformation, survival, and unexpecte
As a US president: Jimmy Carter — Earnest, focused on social justice and human rights, sometimes underestimated but deeply principled—both prioritize community service, environmental consciousness, and doing the right thing even when it's not the flashy
As a city: Tucson, Arizona — Desert college town with strong Hispanic and Native American cultural presence, politically progressive, artsy and laid-back, overshadowed by flashier neighbors but beloved by those who know it for its authenticity and n
As an element: Turquoise (Copper aluminum phosphate) — Not technically an element but a mineral—uniquely Southwestern, formed under specific conditions, valued across cultures for centuries, and carries both scientific and artistic significance. UNM exists at that same inter
As a car: 1987 Jeep Wagoneer — Rugged Southwest authenticity with pueblo-inspired warmth, built for desert commutes and high-altitude art colonies. Diverse enough to handle both Breaking Bad filming locations and Native American studies scholars witho

Campus life

UNM offers a diverse, urban campus experience in Albuquerque, with a large population of non-traditional and commuter students. It has a strong Hispanic-serving identity and a politically engaged student body. The South Campus area provides a more traditional residential feel.