CNM vs. NMSU-Dona Ana

Should I go to Central New Mexico Community College or New Mexico State University Dona Ana? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CNM or NMSU-Dona Ana is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus El Paso Community College SFCC
Central New Mexico Community College vs. New Mexico State University Dona Ana comparison
Central New Mexico Community College New Mexico State University Dona Ana College 3 College 4
Central New Mexico Community College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CNM NMSU-Dona Ana
Location Albuquerque, NM Las Cruces, NM
Setting Large City Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 19,095 6,662
Type Public 2 Year Public 2 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cnm.edu nmsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CNM NMSU-Dona Ana
Tuition (In State) $1,512 $1,644
Tuition (Out of State) $7,632 $5,682
Room & Board $7,750 $9,865
Avg Net Price $4,742 $5,518
Avg Grant Aid $5,095 $6,036
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 90%

Admission

CNM NMSU-Dona Ana
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - -
Admitted - -
Acceptance Rate Open Open
Enrolled % Open Open
Avg High School GPA - -
Typical High School Grades - -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores
Application Deadline Aug 6, 2025

Academics

CNM NMSU-Dona Ana
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (20%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Construction Trades (9%)
  • Mechanic and Repair Technologies (6%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (30%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Business (7%)

Outcomes

CNM NMSU-Dona Ana
Graduation Rate - -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,300 $39,400
Making Student Loan Payments 29% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $7,500 $17,118
Median Loan Payment $77 $176

Diversity

CNM NMSU-Dona Ana
% Men 38% 39%
% Women 62% 61%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 29% 15%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 50% 74%
% Native American 7% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

CNM NMSU-Dona Ana
% In-State 96% 88%
% Out-of-State 4% 5%

Campus

CNM NMSU-Dona Ana
Campus Housing No No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No No
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central New Mexico Community College is larger than than NMSU-Dona Ana based on total student enrollment (19,095 students vs. 6,662 students)

CNM vs. NMSU-Dona Ana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNM or NMSU-Dona Ana?

  • New Mexico State University Dona Ana is 34.9% more expensive to attend than CNM for in-state tuition ($2,040.00 vs. $1,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.3% higher at CNM than New Mexico State University Dona Ana ($7,632.00 vs. $5,682.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central New Mexico Community College than NMSU-Dona Ana ($4,742 vs. $5,518)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central New Mexico Community College are 27.3% lower than costs at New Mexico State University Dona Ana ($7,750 vs. $9,865)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central New Mexico Community College than New Mexico State University Dona Ana (97% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Dona Ana students is 18.5% larger than aid received Central New Mexico Community College ($6,036 vs. $5,095)

Which college is harder to get into, CNM or NMSU-Dona Ana? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NMSU-Dona Ana or CNM .

CNM vs. NMSU-Dona Ana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CNM or NMSU-Dona Ana? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NMSU-Dona Ana and CNM.

  • Graduates from New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn on average $6,100 more per year than CNM graduates after ten years. ($39,400 vs. $33,300)
  • Central New Mexico Community College students graduate with a $9,618 lower median federal student loan debt than NMSU-Dona Ana graduates. ($7,500 vs. $17,118)
  • CNM graduates are paying $99 less per month on federal student loans than NMSU-Dona Ana graduates. ($77 vs. $176)
  • More NMSU-Dona Ana 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/