CNM vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

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

University of New Mexico Main Campus is larger than CNM based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 19,342 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central New Mexico Community College is located in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• Central New Mexico Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central New Mexico Community College 21:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

CNM vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNM or UNM? 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 UNM ($5,560 vs. $6,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 11.4% lower than at Central New Mexico Community College ($12,026 vs. $13,574).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is 392.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNM (about $8,080 more per year; $10,140.00 vs. $2,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 280.7% higher at UNM than at Central New Mexico Community College (about $24,376 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $8,684.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at Central New Mexico Community College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 128.1% larger than aid received by Central New Mexico Community College students ($13,140 vs. $5,760).

CNM vs. UNM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CNM or UNM? 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 UNM and CNM.

• Central New Mexico Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CNM - Open admission; UNM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNM Aug 6, 2027.

CNM vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNM and UNM? 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than CNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central New Mexico Community College graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than UNM graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, CNM graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNM graduates ($77 vs. $201).
• More UNM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CNM students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.