University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus vs. NMSU-Carlsbad

Comparable Facts

Compare University of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus in Los Alamos, NM with Southeast New Mexico College in Carlsbad, 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-Los Alamos Campus based on total student enrollment (1,431 students vs. 349 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

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

Which college is more expensive, University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus 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 University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus ($4,917 vs. $13,837).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus are 29.7% lower than at Southeast New Mexico College ($12,000 vs. $17,076).
• University of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU-Carlsbad (about $246 more per year; $2,214.00 vs. $1,968.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus than at Southeast New Mexico College (about $1,678 more per year; $5,686.00 vs. $4,008.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus than at Southeast New Mexico College (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Southeast New Mexico College students ($4,276 vs. $3,262).

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

Which college is harder to get into, University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus 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 University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus - Open admission; NMSU-Carlsbad - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NMSU-Carlsbad Aug 27, 2027.

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

How do outcomes compare for University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus 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 from University of New Mexico Los Alamos 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-Los Alamos 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-Los Alamos Campus graduates ($176 vs. $201).
• More University of New Mexico-Los Alamos 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.