For the 2026 school year, there are 186 private schools serving 23,461 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 $8,705 for elementary schools and $10,021 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in New Mexico include Santa Fe Prep School, Camino De Paz School, and New Mexico Military Institute.
The average acceptance rate is 84% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 50% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
Overview
This State (NM)
US
# Schools
186 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
23,461 Students
5,699,317 Students
% Average Students of Color
50%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
2,346 Teachers
507,826 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
1222
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$8,685
$14,878
Average Summer Program Cost
$851
$1,138
Average % on Financial Aid
32%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$4,837
$7,124
Average Acceptance Rate
84%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$63.66 million
$61.71 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.65
# American Indian Students
2,110 Students
29,886 Students
% American Indian Students
10%
1%
# Asian Students
580 Students
265,088 Students
% Asian Students
2%
5%
# Hispanic Students
5,012 Students
507,413 Students
% Hispanic Students
23%
9%
# Black Students
430 Students
416,690 Students
% Black Students
2%
7%
# White Students
8,011 Students
2,932,713 Students
% White Students
37%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
19 Students
20,067 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
5,609 Students
1,471,571 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)
Popular neighborhoods: Paradise Hills Civic (3 schools), Silver Hill (3 schools), Taylor Ranch (3 schools), Alamedan Valley (2 schools), Downtown (2 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in New Mexico?
The top-ranked private schools in New Mexico include Santa Fe Prep School, Camino De Paz School, and New Mexico Military Institute.
How many private schools are located in New Mexico?
There are 186 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 $8,705 for elementary schools and $10,021 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?
Which private schools in New Mexico are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in New Mexico include: Canon Christian Academy vs. St. Mary's Catholic School Belen, Springstone Montessori Schools vs. Montessori ONE Academy, Rehoboth Christian School vs. Sacred Heart Catholic School, Gallup
Recent Articles
How Private Schools Are Preventing Student Burnout
Discover how private schools are addressing student burnout through wellness programs, balanced academics, and expanded mental health support.
How Private Schools Evaluate “Soft Skills” Like Leadership and Grit
Learn how private schools assess leadership, grit, resilience, and character, and why these soft skills are becoming increasingly important in admissions.
How Private Schools Handle Cell Phones: Why Phone-Free Campuses Are Growing
Discover how private schools manage cell phones, why phone-free campuses are growing, and how reduced social media access can benefit students.
![Sandia Preparatory School Photo - Because admission to Prep is competitive, it's best to start the application process early - [email protected] or 505.338.3007.](https://images1.privateschoolreview.com/photo/18000/18535/Sandia-Preparatory-School-wh1tj848a9wk884k00wgwg4g-1122.jpg){kind=link}
