The University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos) is celebrating significant enrollment gains for Fall 2026, marking its highest total enrollment since 2017 and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. According to the institution’s official Fall 2026 Census Snapshot, total student headcount increased by 5% over Fall 2025, while home student enrollment grew by 8%.
The Fall 2026 census recorded a total enrollment of 1,302 students and reflected growth across several key measures of student engagement and academic participation. Total semester credit hours rose 6%, while semester credit hours among home students rose 8%.
“This year’s census reflects the impact of our collective efforts to focus our efforts in serving our Northern New Mexico students,” said Alejandra Villalobos Melendez, director of Strategic Initiatives and Research at UNM-Taos. “We continue to experience sustained, measurable enrollment growth among our local students by expanding access, strengthening student support, and creating meaningful pathways to success.”
Several student populations experienced especially notable growth:
Certificate-seeking students increased by 17%.
Dual-credit students increased by 10%.
Non-degree-seeking home students increased by 18%.
First-time students increased by 26%.
Indigenous home student enrollment increased by 59%.
The census results also point to continued momentum in student persistence. Overall retention increased to 68%, up two percentage points from the previous cohort. Indigenous student retention reached 74%, representing a substantial increase over the prior year. The census also showed progress in closing the retention gap between women and men.
Census Day serves as the official enrollment count for UNM-Taos and provides a consistent snapshot of student enrollment after registration changes, course adds and drops, and adjustments throughout the start of the semester.
UNM-Taos leaders attribute the positive enrollment trends to the dedicated work of faculty and staff across campus who support students from recruitment and enrollment through graduation and career preparation. The institution continues to focus on expanding educational opportunities, supporting student success, and strengthening pathways to certificates, workforce training, and degree completion.
As enrollment reaches levels not seen in nearly a decade, these results demonstrate the value of a student-centered approach and the growing role UNM-Taos plays in advancing educational attainment in Northern New Mexico.
“We are encouraged to see strong growth among both new and returning students as more learners choose UNM-Taos to pursue their educational goals,” Villalobos Melendez said.
For more information about UNM-Taos enrollment and institutional research, visit the UNM-Taos Institutional Research webpage at https://taos.unm.edu/about/research/.