SANTA FE – New Mexico’s investments in adult education have lifted the state to 20th in the nation for adult education outcomes, up from 50th place in 2019.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education recently published state data for the 2024-2025 academic year and ranked New Mexico 20th in measurable skill gains, a metric that tracks student progress toward educational milestones such as earning credentials, improving academic skills, and advancing toward employment.
The ranking reflects a six-place jump from last year’s ranking of 26th, and a 30-spot climb from the state’s 50th place ranking in 2019.
“In New Mexico, we support community members with more opportunities to increase adult literacy skills and pursue career pathways through the higher education system at different stages of their lives, no matter their background. These investments are bringing results to New Mexico at a remarkable rate,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. “We have made adult education more accessible to tens of thousands of New Mexicans, benefiting them, their families and our communities in countless ways.”
This year, New Mexico continues to invest in adult education through a $20 million dollar appropriation in the state budget, which will be used to support adult education programs and high school equivalency testing statewide for the Adult Education Division and other associated programs.
These investments include a suite of workforce training programs in adult education that help New Mexicans achieve certifications in high-demand fields like child care or commercial driving, leading to a 44% increase in new certificates achieved by New Mexicans in 2025.
“We will continue to meet New Mexicans wherever they are with programs that help them find and achieve new career goals,” said Adult Education Director Amber Gallup. “Students and program staff have worked hard to reach this point. Our work continues to expand accessibility of high-quality programming at different colleges throughout the state.”
New Mexico has improved its standing on several federal adult education benchmarks. The state’s national ranking for measurable skill gains among English as a second language students increased from 28th to 19th, while adult education participants securing employment after completing coursework rose from 32nd to 25th since 2024.