More than 3,500 students attend our campuses and are enrolled online. 50% of our undergrads are Hispanic, and we are designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Classes have 18 students each, on average. Five hundred degrees are awarded each year. Eighteen countries are represented in our student body. Our mascot is Rawhide. Our colors are Royal Purple and Golden Yellow.
WNMU offers more than 70 fields of study, from accounting to zoology. WNMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, New Mexico State Board of Education, Association of Collegiate Business Schools, and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. We offer a fully online master's and bachelor's degrees. Our University Museum houses the world's most extensive permanent collection of Mimbres pottery. WNMU is a member of the American Association of University Women, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and the American Library Association.
Our main campus is spread across 83 acres on a hill. Silver City has mountains, sunny skies, and incredible views. WNMU carries on historic traditions like the Great Race and Painting of the W annually. Mustangs compete in the Lone Star Conference, and WNMU has softball, volleyball, football, men's and women's basketball, golf, cross country, and tennis teams.
Silver City is home to dozens of artists and galleries. Art is everywhere. Foodies are in for a treat. Local restaurants serve up everything from traditional New Mexican to dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Coffee corners are a staple here. Order up a custom latte or a brew made with imported beans. Metropolitan hubs like Tucson, Albuquerque, and El Paso are only a drive away. WNMU Cultural Affairs brings first-rate musicians and performers to campus frequently.
Predicting the future is not an easy thing to do. In its place, Western New Mexico University has set out to transform it. At a glance, WNMU looks like your traditional small-town college. Friendly professors and a relaxing atmosphere paired with a vibrant downtown community for the more than 3,300 enrolled students. A closer look showcases the University's innovative programs and unique student-life experience. WNMU has served the people of Silver City, New Mexico, and its surrounding areas since 1893.
The University has a distinctly historical focus as a teachers' college since its inception 119 years ago by the state legislature. Its flagship program, the School of Education, has successfully placed teachers in classrooms across the country. This year, New Mexico's Teacher of the Year recognition was awarded to WNMU alumni. Newly offered degrees, including master's degrees in social work and occupational therapy and an RN to BSN program, demonstrate WNMU's efforts to meet an evolving workforce's demands. Students at WNMU are equipped for tomorrow's jobs with specialized training for careers such as graphic design, green technologies, and digital media. Students looking to focus on more than one area of study may earn degrees in interdisciplinary studies allowing for two disciplines.
The affordable tuition at WNMU makes the University a top contender to prospective students. More than 90% of instructors have degrees in their respective teaching areas, and small class sizes account for more personal education and a thriving education style. WNMU partners with other colleges and universities to offer tuition waivers and easy transfer guidelines. At least six pre-professional programs in dentistry, engineering, forestry, law, medicine, and pharmacy are available because of partnerships with other New Mexico universities.
The University setting in a historic southwestern community allows students to learn about a diverse population and culture. Students enjoy year-round access to the WNMU Museum, which houses the world's most extensive permanent collection of Mimbres pottery, and the Francis McCray Gallery of Contemporary Art, where students experience visual and media exhibits by internationally-renowned artists.
On the field, the WNMU Mustangs are competitive on the national stage in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). Athletic teams include men's and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, tennis, and softball, football, and volleyball. What better place to earn a quality education than Silver City. With great weather and a scenic environment, students learn to enjoy the great outdoors while still enjoying the benefits and amenities of a small city. Next time you step foot on WNMU's campus in historic Silver City, experience more than the memorable landscape. Be a part of WNMU's transformative student experience.
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