NMSU-Carlsbad vs. Luna Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southeast New Mexico College in Carlsbad, NM with Luna Community College in Las Vegas, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southeast New Mexico College is larger than Luna Community College based on total student enrollment (1,431 students vs. 743 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southeast New Mexico College is located in Carlsbad, NM (Remote Town setting); Luna Community College is in Las Vegas, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southeast New Mexico College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Luna Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southeast New Mexico College 12:1; Luna Community College 11:1.

NMSU-Carlsbad vs. Luna Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU-Carlsbad or Luna Community College? 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 Southeast New Mexico College than Luna Community College ($4,917 vs. $5,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Luna Community College are 12% lower than at Southeast New Mexico College ($15,024 vs. $17,076).
• Southeast New Mexico College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luna Community College (about $62 more per year; $1,968.00 vs. $1,906.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at NMSU-Carlsbad than at Luna Community College (about $590 more per year; $4,008.00 vs. $3,418.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeast New Mexico College than at Luna Community College (82% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luna Community College students is 80.3% larger than aid received by Southeast New Mexico College students ($5,880 vs. $3,262).

NMSU-Carlsbad vs. Luna Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU-Carlsbad or Luna Community College? 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 Luna Community College and NMSU-Carlsbad.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NMSU-Carlsbad - Open admission; Luna Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NMSU-Carlsbad Aug 27, 2027; Luna Community College Aug 30, 2027.

NMSU-Carlsbad vs. Luna Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU-Carlsbad and Luna Community College? 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 Southeast New Mexico College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Luna Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $30,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Luna Community College graduates have a $12,618 lower median loan debt than NMSU-Carlsbad graduates ($4,500 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, Luna Community College graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMSU-Carlsbad graduates ($46 vs. $176).
• More NMSU-Carlsbad graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luna Community College students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 30%)

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.