NMSU-Dona Ana vs. Luna Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico State University Dona Ana in Las Cruces, NM with Luna Community College in Las Vegas, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Mexico State University Dona Ana is larger than Luna Community College based on total student enrollment (7,200 students vs. 743 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); Luna Community College is in Las Vegas, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Luna Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Dona Ana 21:1; Luna Community College 11:1.

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. Luna Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU-Dona Ana 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 Luna Community College than NMSU-Dona Ana ($5,497 vs. $7,936).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico State University Dona Ana are 6.5% lower than at Luna Community College ($14,052 vs. $15,024).
• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is 42.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Luna Community College (about $812 more per year; $2,718.00 vs. $1,906.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.1% higher at NMSU-Dona Ana than at Luna Community College (about $2,942 more per year; $6,360.00 vs. $3,418.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Dona Ana than at Luna Community College (97% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Dona Ana students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Luna Community College students ($6,571 vs. $5,880).

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. Luna Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU-Dona Ana 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-Dona Ana.

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

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. Luna Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU-Dona Ana 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 New Mexico State University Dona Ana 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-Dona Ana 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-Dona Ana graduates ($46 vs. $176).
• More NMSU-Dona Ana 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.