NMSU-Carlsbad vs. University of New Mexico-Taos Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Southeast New Mexico College in Carlsbad, NM with University of New Mexico Taos Campus in Ranchos de Taos, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southeast New Mexico College is larger than University of New Mexico-Taos Campus based on total student enrollment (1,431 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southeast New Mexico College is located in Carlsbad, NM (Remote Town setting); University of New Mexico Taos Campus is in Ranchos de Taos, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southeast New Mexico College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of New Mexico Taos Campus is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southeast New Mexico College 12:1; University of New Mexico Taos Campus 9:1.

NMSU-Carlsbad vs. University of New Mexico-Taos Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU-Carlsbad or University of New Mexico-Taos Campus? 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 University of New Mexico-Taos Campus ($4,917 vs. $8,556).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Taos Campus are 29.7% lower than at Southeast New Mexico College ($12,000 vs. $17,076).
• University of New Mexico Taos Campus is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU-Carlsbad (about $168 more per year; $2,136.00 vs. $1,968.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.1% higher at University of New Mexico-Taos Campus than at Southeast New Mexico College (about $1,128 more per year; $5,136.00 vs. $4,008.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Taos Campus than at Southeast New Mexico College (98% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Taos Campus students is 124.2% larger than aid received by Southeast New Mexico College students ($7,312 vs. $3,262).

NMSU-Carlsbad vs. University of New Mexico-Taos Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU-Carlsbad or University of New Mexico-Taos Campus? 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 University of New Mexico-Taos Campus 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; University of New Mexico-Taos Campus - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NMSU-Carlsbad Aug 27, 2027; University of New Mexico-Taos Campus Aug 27, 2027.

NMSU-Carlsbad vs. University of New Mexico-Taos Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU-Carlsbad and University of New Mexico-Taos Campus? 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 Taos Campus earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than NMSU-Carlsbad graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeast New Mexico College graduates have a $2,382 lower median loan debt than University of New Mexico-Taos Campus graduates ($17,118 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, NMSU-Carlsbad graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of New Mexico-Taos Campus graduates ($176 vs. $201).
• More University of New Mexico-Taos Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU-Carlsbad students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 44%)

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.