New Mexico also ranked fifth nationally in state spending per child, above the national average and higher than many larger and wealthier states.
Source: N.M. Early Childhood Education and Care Department
SANTA FE — New Mexico ranks seventh in the nation for preschool access among 3-year-olds and 11th in the nation among 4-year-olds, according to a new report released Wednesday by the National Institute for Early Education Research.
New Mexico also ranked fifth nationally in state spending per child, above the national average and higher than many larger and wealthier states.
“Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature have made an unwavering commitment to our youngest children, and this report reflects that,” said Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky. “We are proud to be a national leader in both access and investment, and the state will keep raising the bar to ensure every child in every community has access to the high-quality early learning opportunities they deserve.”
Additional findings for 2024-25:
New Mexico PreK enrolled 16,429 children, an increase of 334 from the prior year.
- State spending totaled $226,085,608, up $9,246,573, or 4%, adjusted for inflation.
- State spending per child reached $13,761 in 2024-2025, up $289 from the prior year, adjusted for inflation.
- New Mexico met nine of the institute’s 10 quality standards benchmarks, which measure indicators including teacher qualifications, class size, early learning standards and curriculum supports.
The one benchmark the institute does not award New Mexico on is the requirement that teachers hold a bachelor’s degree, although the NM PreK Standards require teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, be licensed in early childhood education, or be actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree or alternative licensure in early childhood education.
New Mexico is among a small group of states approaching the highest tier of quality recognition in the institute’s report. Only six states currently meet all 10 benchmarks, and New Mexico’s programs operate at a level of investment and access that surpasses most of them. New Mexico’s spending per child places it well above the national average.
The yearbook examines state-funded preschool enrollment, spending and quality nationwide. Nationally, 44 states and the District of Columbia funded preschool programs in 2024-25. Enrollment reached 37% of 4-year-olds and 9% of 3-year-olds. Most state pre-K programs continue to primarily serve 4-year-olds.
Community-based New Mexico PreK educators may also qualify for increased compensation through the PreK Parity Program, which helps align pay with public school settings. In FY25, the program funded 179 educators, including additional stipends for some staff with specialized credentials.
Additional information about the 2025 State of Preschool Yearbook, including state profiles, maps, graphs and rankings, is available at www.nieer.org.
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