CNM vs. SJC

Comparable Facts

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

Central New Mexico Community College is larger than SJC based on total student enrollment (19,342 students vs. 6,452 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central New Mexico Community College is located in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting); San Juan College is in Farmington, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central New Mexico Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Juan College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central New Mexico Community College 21:1; San Juan College 12:1.

CNM vs. SJC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNM or SJC? 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 SJC ($5,560 vs. $7,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Juan College are 14% lower than at Central New Mexico Community College ($11,679 vs. $13,574).
• Central New Mexico Community College is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SJC (about $132 more per year; $2,060.00 vs. $1,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.5% higher at CNM than at San Juan College (about $3,272 more per year; $8,684.00 vs. $5,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Juan College than at Central New Mexico Community College (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Juan College students is 31.4% larger than aid received by Central New Mexico Community College students ($7,571 vs. $5,760).

CNM vs. SJC Admissions comparison

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

CNM vs. SJC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNM and SJC? 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 San Juan College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than CNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,700 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central New Mexico Community College graduates have a $848 lower median loan debt than SJC graduates ($7,500 vs. $8,348).
• Among borrowers, CNM graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SJC graduates ($77 vs. $86).
• More SJC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNM students, three years after graduation. (40% 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.