NM is large state with a sparse population. The biggest population concentrations are along the I-25 corridor that runs from the central southern border to the NE corner of the state. 87% of the state population lives along I-25 from Las Cruces to Santa Fe. Two major universities, plus 2 smaller university are located on the I-25 corridor. NMSU in Las Cruces, NMTech in Socorro (midway between Cruces and ABQ), UNM in Albuquerque and Highlands in Las Vegas. Additionally there are 2 smaller state U in the E/SE and SW areas of the state. UNM and NMSU both run online undergraduate and graduate education programs with robust offerings that fulfill graduation requirements at their respective institutions.
There are community colleges and/or 2 year branch campuses of UNM or NMSU in every county–including Harding County which is larger than the state of Delaware but has population of only 456 people.
COL in ABQ and Las Cruces is modest. UNM charges $4400/year for room & board. NMSU R+B starts at $3800/year. Costs that can be covered by a federal student loan.