Best Community Colleges in New Mexico 2024

BEST IN NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY COLLEGES
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in New Mexico offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.

10 Best Community Colleges in New Mexico

Sort by:
  1. New Mexico Military Institute
  2. Institute of American Indian Arts
  3. Central New Mexico Community College
  4. Santa Fe Community College
  5. Navajo Technical University
  6. Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
  7. New Mexico State University Grants
  8. San Juan College
  9. Clovis Community College
  10. New Mexico Junior College
  1. Institute of American Indian Arts 100%
  2. New Mexico Military Institute 41%
  1. University of New Mexico–Los Alamos 26 to 1
  2. Central New Mexico Community College 23 to 1
  3. Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute 20 to 1
  4. Clovis Community College 17 to 1
  5. New Mexico Military Institute 16 to 1
  6. New Mexico Junior College 15 to 1
  7. Southeast New Mexico College 14 to 1
  8. New Mexico State University Grants 12 to 1
  9. Mesalands Community College 12 to 1
  10. Santa Fe Community College 12 to 1
  1. Institute of American Indian Arts $5,321
  2. Navajo Technical University $4,070
  3. New Mexico State University Alamogordo $2,232
  4. New Mexico State University Grants $2,088
  5. New Mexico Military Institute $2,000
  6. University of New Mexico–Los Alamos $1,968
  7. Santa Fe Community College $1,830
  8. Southeast New Mexico College $1,776
  9. Mesalands Community College $1,512
  10. New Mexico Junior College $1,440
  1. Institute of American Indian Arts $12,000
  2. Navajo Technical University $2,250
  1. Southeast New Mexico College
  2. University of New Mexico–Los Alamos
  3. New Mexico State University Alamogordo
  4. Mesalands Community College
  5. New Mexico Junior College
  6. Clovis Community College
  7. San Juan College
  8. New Mexico State University Grants
  9. Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
  10. Navajo Technical University
  1. New Mexico Military Institute 41%
  2. Institute of American Indian Arts 100%
  1. Navajo Technical University 6 to 1
  2. Institute of American Indian Arts 9 to 1
  3. New Mexico State University Alamogordo 9 to 1
  4. New Mexico State University Grants 12 to 1
  5. Mesalands Community College 12 to 1
  6. Santa Fe Community College 12 to 1
  7. San Juan College 12 to 1
  8. Southeast New Mexico College 14 to 1
  9. New Mexico Junior College 15 to 1
  10. New Mexico Military Institute 16 to 1
  1. Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute $1,095
  2. San Juan College $1,248
  3. Clovis Community College $1,296
  4. Central New Mexico Community College $1,368
  5. New Mexico Junior College $1,440
  6. Mesalands Community College $1,512
  7. Southeast New Mexico College $1,776
  8. Santa Fe Community College $1,830
  9. University of New Mexico–Los Alamos $1,968
  10. New Mexico Military Institute $2,000
  1. Navajo Technical University $2,250
  2. Institute of American Indian Arts $12,000

Colleges and Universities in New Mexico

New Mexico has 23 higher learning establishments to choose from, and a tuition range of $1,000-$8,000 in the public sphere makes this state one of the most affordable in the nation. The University of New Mexico, located in Albuquerque, has a student population just over 20,000 and an affordable cost of $8,000. The school is known for its health sciences and business programs.

New Mexico also has four tribal colleges and universities, including the largest tribal college in the country, Navajo Technical University. Students can complete programs in animal science, early childhood multicultural education, and industrial engineering. In addition, New Mexico provides two loan forgiveness programs, one for health professionals and one for public service attorneys. Those working in designated shortage areas can qualify for up to $25,000 per year, and attorneys providing service for government, non-profit, or underserved residents may acquire $7,200 per year.

Pueblos, roadrunners, cacti, and the Rio Grande make New Mexico one of the most unique states in the nation. Though its alleged history of UFO sightings is perhaps its most famous draw, New Mexico has another fascinating monument worth mentioning - Capulin Volcano. The peak of this extinct cider cone volcano, which can be reached by car, offers visitors a view of four other states. Students looking to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in The Land of Enchantment are sure to find interesting activities to do alongside their studies.

Prepare to be enchanted by the higher education options and career prospects that New Mexico has to offer.

What are New Mexico’s Colleges & Universities?

New Mexico’s Best Overall

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We’ve identified 14 community colleges in New Mexico. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in New Mexico.

Best Community Colleges in New Mexico

  1. #1

    New Mexico Military Institute

    Roswell , NM
    #24 50 Best Community Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at New Mexico Military Institute

    Cost of Degree: $6,965
    Expenses: $11,926
    Starting Salary: $11,745
    Salary after 4 years: $37,506
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is New Mexico Military Institute known for?

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Institute of American Indian Arts

    Santa Fe , NM
    #25 The Most Affordable Traditional MBA Degree Programs for 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Institute of American Indian Arts

    Cost of Degree: $5,321
    Expenses: $18,062
    Starting Salary: $27,072
    Salary after 4 years: $46,607
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Institute of American Indian Arts known for?

    Institute of American Indian Arts’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Central New Mexico Community College

    Albuquerque , NM
    #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in New Mexico 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    12K

    Career Outlook for degree at Central New Mexico Community College

    Cost of Degree: $1,684
    Starting Salary: $33,006
    Salary after 4 years: $39,548
    What is Central New Mexico Community College known for?

    Central New Mexico Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Clovis Community College

    Clovis , NM
    #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in New Mexico 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Clovis Community College

    Cost of Degree: $1,616
    Starting Salary: $39,399
    Salary after 4 years: $41,980
    What is Clovis Community College known for?

    Clovis Community College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  5. #5

    Santa Fe Community College

    Santa Fe , NM

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Santa Fe Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,505
    Starting Salary: $44,783
    What is Santa Fe Community College known for?

    Santa Fe Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  7. #6

    New Mexico State University Grants

    Grants , NM

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at New Mexico State University Grants

    Cost of Degree: $2,280
    Starting Salary: $32,931
    What is New Mexico State University Grants known for?

    New Mexico State University Grants’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  8. #7

    San Juan College

    Farmington , NM

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at San Juan College

    Cost of Degree: $1,618
    Starting Salary: $44,591
    What is San Juan College known for?

    San Juan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  9. #8

    New Mexico Junior College

    Hobbs , NM

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at New Mexico Junior College

    Cost of Degree: $1,920
    Expenses: $8,106
    Starting Salary: $48,340
    Salary after 4 years: $50,645
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is New Mexico Junior College known for?

    New Mexico Junior College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  11. #10

    Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

    Albuquerque , NM

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    16%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

    Cost of Degree: $1,095
    Expenses: $9,624
    Starting Salary: $25,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute known for?

    Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  13. #11

    New Mexico State University Alamogordo

    Alamogordo , NM
    #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in New Mexico 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    15%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at New Mexico State University Alamogordo

    Cost of Degree: $2,424
    Starting Salary: $33,921
    What is New Mexico State University Alamogordo known for?

    New Mexico State University Alamogordo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  14. #12

    Mesalands Community College

    Tucumcari , NM

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Mesalands Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,136
    Expenses: $14,360
    Starting Salary: $44,169
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Mesalands Community College known for?

    Mesalands Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  15. #13

    University of New Mexico–Los Alamos

    Los Alamos , NM

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of New Mexico–Los Alamos

    Cost of Degree: $2,076
    Starting Salary: $25,294
    Salary after 4 years: $28,656
    What is University of New Mexico–Los Alamos known for?

    University of New Mexico–Los Alamos’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  16. #14

    Southeast New Mexico College

    Carlsbad , NM

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Southeast New Mexico College

    Cost of Degree: $1,968
    Starting Salary: $37,594
    What is Southeast New Mexico College known for?

    Southeast New Mexico College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Institute of American Indian Arts
  2. New Mexico Military Institute
  3. Santa Fe Community College
  4. Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
  5. San Juan College
  6. New Mexico State University Alamogordo
  7. Central New Mexico Community College
  8. New Mexico State University Grants
  9. Navajo Technical University
  10. Clovis Community College
  11. Southeast New Mexico College
  12. New Mexico Junior College
  13. Mesalands Community College
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