CNM vs. SFCC

Comparable Facts

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

Central New Mexico Community College is larger than SFCC based on total student enrollment (19,342 students vs. 4,469 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CNM vs. SFCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNM or SFCC? 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 SFCC ($5,560 vs. $12,429).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central New Mexico Community College are 29.2% lower than at Santa Fe Community College ($13,574 vs. $19,170).
• Santa Fe Community College is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNM (about $79 more per year; $2,139.00 vs. $2,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.2% higher at CNM than at Santa Fe Community College (about $4,553 more per year; $8,684.00 vs. $4,131.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central New Mexico Community College than at Santa Fe Community College (90% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Fe Community College students is 10.1% larger than aid received by Central New Mexico Community College students ($6,343 vs. $5,760).

CNM vs. SFCC Admissions comparison

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

CNM vs. SFCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNM and SFCC? 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 Santa Fe Community College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than CNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central New Mexico Community College graduates have a $7,295 lower median loan debt than SFCC graduates ($7,500 vs. $14,795).
• Among borrowers, CNM graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFCC graduates ($77 vs. $152).
• More SFCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNM students, three years after graduation. (32% 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.