The Las Cruces NM MSA is home to three public school districts, one community college and one four-year University. The Las Cruces Public Schools system is the second largest district, by enrollment, in the State of New Mexico. The Gadsden Independent Schools system is the largest district, by geographic area, in the State of New Mexico and serves southern Dona Ana County. The Hatch Valley Municipal Schools district is located in the northern part of the county. Total K-12 enrollment for the three districts exceeds 39,000 students.

Las Cruces is the home of New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Dona Ana Community College (DACC). New Mexico State University is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the “Advancement of Teaching as Doctoral/Research University-Extensive.” NMSU is also a NASA Space Grant College and Hispanic-serving institution. NMSU is a very active research university, with research and public service expenditures exceeding $140 million in 2005-2006.

Anchoring the southern end of New Mexico’s Rio Grande Research Corridor, NMSU is the only university to reach the platinum, or highest, level of service to NASA’s Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program. SATOP makes the expertise of corporate and university researchers available to small businesses.

Dona Ana Community College serves the county as a general education; technical and specialized training; and workforce development center through six campuses and learning centers. A new campus in Hatch is under development.

Other area higher education facilities include the University of Phoenix in Santa Teresa, El Paso Community College and the University of Texas at El Paso. 

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