CNM vs. NMSU-Grants

Comparable Facts

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

Central New Mexico Community College is larger than NMSU-Grants based on total student enrollment (19,342 students vs. 754 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 Grants is in Grants, NM (Remote Town setting).
• Central New Mexico Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. New Mexico State University Grants is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central New Mexico Community College 21:1; New Mexico State University Grants 15:1.

CNM vs. NMSU-Grants Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNM or NMSU-Grants? 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 New Mexico State University Grants than CNM ($1,864 vs. $5,560).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central New Mexico Community College are 1.3% lower than at New Mexico State University Grants ($13,574 vs. $13,750).
• New Mexico State University Grants is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNM (about $316 more per year; $2,376.00 vs. $2,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.3% higher at CNM than at New Mexico State University Grants (about $4,412 more per year; $8,684.00 vs. $4,272.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Grants than at Central New Mexico Community College (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Grants students is 17.8% larger than aid received by Central New Mexico Community College students ($6,784 vs. $5,760).

CNM vs. NMSU-Grants Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CNM or NMSU-Grants? 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-Grants 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-Grants - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNM Aug 6, 2027; NMSU-Grants Jul 12, 2027.

CNM vs. NMSU-Grants Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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