NMSU-Dona Ana vs. SFCC

Comparable Facts

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

New Mexico State University Dona Ana is larger than SFCC based on total student enrollment (7,200 students vs. 4,469 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. SFCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NMSU-Dona Ana or SFCC? 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 New Mexico State University Dona Ana than SFCC ($7,936 vs. $12,429).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico State University Dona Ana are 26.7% lower than at Santa Fe Community College ($14,052 vs. $19,170).
• New Mexico State University Dona Ana is 27.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SFCC (about $579 more per year; $2,718.00 vs. $2,139.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54% higher at NMSU-Dona Ana than at Santa Fe Community College (about $2,229 more per year; $6,360.00 vs. $4,131.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Dona Ana than at Santa Fe Community College (97% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Dona Ana students is 3.6% larger than aid received by Santa Fe Community College students ($6,571 vs. $6,343).

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. SFCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NMSU-Dona Ana or SFCC? 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 SFCC 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; SFCC - Open admission.

NMSU-Dona Ana vs. SFCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NMSU-Dona Ana and SFCC? 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 $4,700 more per year than SFCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Fe Community College graduates have a $2,323 lower median loan debt than NMSU-Dona Ana graduates ($14,795 vs. $17,118).
• Among borrowers, SFCC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMSU-Dona Ana graduates ($152 vs. $176).
• More NMSU-Dona Ana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFCC students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 32%)

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.