CNM vs. NMSU-Carlsbad

Comparable Facts

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

Central New Mexico Community College is larger than NMSU-Carlsbad based on total student enrollment (19,342 students vs. 1,431 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central New Mexico Community College is located in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting); Southeast New Mexico College is in Carlsbad, NM (Remote Town setting).
• Central New Mexico Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southeast New Mexico College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central New Mexico Community College 21:1; Southeast New Mexico College 12:1.

CNM vs. NMSU-Carlsbad Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNM or NMSU-Carlsbad? 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 Southeast New Mexico College than CNM ($4,917 vs. $5,560).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central New Mexico Community College are 20.5% lower than at Southeast New Mexico College ($13,574 vs. $17,076).
• Central New Mexico Community College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU-Carlsbad (about $92 more per year; $2,060.00 vs. $1,968.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.7% higher at CNM than at Southeast New Mexico College (about $4,676 more per year; $8,684.00 vs. $4,008.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central New Mexico Community College than at Southeast New Mexico College (90% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central New Mexico Community College students is 76.6% larger than aid received by Southeast New Mexico College students ($5,760 vs. $3,262).

CNM vs. NMSU-Carlsbad Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CNM or NMSU-Carlsbad? 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-Carlsbad 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-Carlsbad - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNM Aug 6, 2027; NMSU-Carlsbad Aug 27, 2027.

CNM vs. NMSU-Carlsbad Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNM and NMSU-Carlsbad? 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 Southeast New Mexico College 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-Carlsbad graduates ($7,500 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, CNM graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMSU-Carlsbad graduates ($77 vs. $176).
• More NMSU-Carlsbad 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.