NMHU has an average annual enrollment of approximately 3,000 students and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs across six schools and colleges, as well as online.

[4][5] Highlands' programs explicitly focus on its multiethnic student body, especially the Latino and American Indian cultures distinctive of New Mexico.

NMHU has several bachelor's and master's degree programs spanning six schools and colleges; these include business administration, counseling, nursing,[7] social work, and the natural sciences.

In the 1997–98 academic year, New Mexico Highlands University established an extended learning center in Rio Rancho and began offering upper-division undergraduate and graduate courses in business, accounting, education, and social work.

The center has since added studies in criminal justice, public affairs administration, computer science and general and school counseling.