CNM vs. NMSU-Alamogordo

Comparable Facts

Compare Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, NM with New Mexico State University Alamogordo in Alamogordo, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central New Mexico Community College is larger than NMSU-Alamogordo based on total student enrollment (19,342 students vs. 1,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central New Mexico Community College is located in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting); New Mexico State University Alamogordo is in Alamogordo, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central New Mexico Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. New Mexico State University Alamogordo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central New Mexico Community College 21:1; New Mexico State University Alamogordo 13:1.

CNM vs. NMSU-Alamogordo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNM or NMSU-Alamogordo? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central New Mexico Community College than NMSU-Alamogordo ($5,560 vs. $8,868).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central New Mexico Community College are 2.4% lower than at New Mexico State University Alamogordo ($13,574 vs. $13,908).
• New Mexico State University Alamogordo is 45.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNM (about $940 more per year; $3,000.00 vs. $2,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43% higher at CNM than at New Mexico State University Alamogordo (about $2,612 more per year; $8,684.00 vs. $6,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Alamogordo than at Central New Mexico Community College (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Alamogordo students is 12.4% larger than aid received by Central New Mexico Community College students ($6,477 vs. $5,760).

CNM vs. NMSU-Alamogordo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CNM or NMSU-Alamogordo? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NMSU-Alamogordo and CNM.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CNM - Open admission; NMSU-Alamogordo - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNM Aug 6, 2027.

CNM vs. NMSU-Alamogordo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNM and NMSU-Alamogordo? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from New Mexico State University Alamogordo earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than CNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central New Mexico Community College graduates have a $9,618 lower median loan debt than NMSU-Alamogordo graduates ($7,500 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, CNM graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMSU-Alamogordo graduates ($77 vs. $176).
• More NMSU-Alamogordo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNM students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.