CNM vs. NMSU-Dona Ana

Comparable Facts

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

Central New Mexico Community College is larger than NMSU-Dona Ana based on total student enrollment (19,342 students vs. 7,200 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 Dona Ana is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Central New Mexico Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central New Mexico Community College 21:1; New Mexico State University Dona Ana 21:1.

CNM vs. NMSU-Dona Ana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNM or NMSU-Dona Ana? 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-Dona Ana ($5,560 vs. $7,936).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central New Mexico Community College are 3.4% lower than at New Mexico State University Dona Ana ($13,574 vs. $14,052).
• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is 31.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNM (about $658 more per year; $2,718.00 vs. $2,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.5% higher at CNM than at New Mexico State University Dona Ana (about $2,324 more per year; $8,684.00 vs. $6,360.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Dona Ana than at Central New Mexico Community College (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Dona Ana students is 14.1% larger than aid received by Central New Mexico Community College students ($6,571 vs. $5,760).

CNM vs. NMSU-Dona Ana Admissions comparison

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

CNM vs. NMSU-Dona Ana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNM and NMSU-Dona Ana? 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 Dona Ana 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-Dona Ana graduates ($7,500 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, CNM graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.