NMSU-Dona Ana vs. NMSU-Carlsbad

Comparable Facts

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

New Mexico State University Dona Ana is larger than NMSU-Carlsbad based on total student enrollment (7,200 students vs. 1,431 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is located in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting); Southeast New Mexico College is in Carlsbad, NM (Remote Town setting).
• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southeast New Mexico College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico State University Dona Ana 21:1; Southeast New Mexico College 12:1.

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. NMSU-Carlsbad Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU-Dona Ana or NMSU-Carlsbad? 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 NMSU-Dona Ana ($4,917 vs. $7,936).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico State University Dona Ana are 17.7% lower than at Southeast New Mexico College ($14,052 vs. $17,076).
• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is 38.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU-Carlsbad (about $750 more per year; $2,718.00 vs. $1,968.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.7% higher at NMSU-Dona Ana than at Southeast New Mexico College (about $2,352 more per year; $6,360.00 vs. $4,008.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Dona Ana than at Southeast New Mexico College (97% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Dona Ana students is 101.4% larger than aid received by Southeast New Mexico College students ($6,571 vs. $3,262).

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. NMSU-Carlsbad Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU-Dona Ana or NMSU-Carlsbad? 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 NMSU-Carlsbad 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; NMSU-Carlsbad - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NMSU-Carlsbad Aug 27, 2027.

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. NMSU-Carlsbad Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU-Dona Ana and NMSU-Carlsbad? 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 of New Mexico State University Dona Ana and NMSU-Carlsbad have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $39,400), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeast New Mexico College and NMSU-Dona Ana graduates have the same median loan debt ($17,118 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southeast New Mexico College and NMSU-Dona Ana graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($176 vs. $176).
• Federal student loan repayment rates three years after graduation are the same for Southeast New Mexico College and NMSU-Dona Ana graduates (44% 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.