Colleges in New Mexico
All 36 degree-granting colleges in New Mexico, sorted by published in-state tuition. Click any column header to re-sort.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive college in New Mexico is $35,960 per year — about $143,840 over a four-year degree.
All 36 colleges, cheapest first
| College | In-state | Out-of-state | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luna Community CollegePublicLas Vegas · 2-year | $1,130 | $1,538 | Public |
| 2 | Southeast New Mexico CollegePublicCarlsbad · 2-year | $1,176 | $1,968 | Public |
| 3 | Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community CollegePublicRuidoso · 2-year | $1,372 | $1,804 | Public |
| 4 | New Mexico Junior CollegePublicHobbs · 2-year | $1,440 | $1,920 | Public |
| 5 | Clovis Community CollegePublicClovis · 2-year | $1,472 | $1,736 | Public |
| 6 | San Juan CollegePublicFarmington · 2-year | $1,714 | $1,714 | Public |
| 7 | New Mexico State University-Dona AnaPublicLas Cruces · 2-year | $1,842 | $2,238 | Public |
| 8 | Central New Mexico Community CollegePublicAlbuquerque · 2-year | $1,858 | $1,858 | Public |
| 9 | University of New Mexico-Valencia County CampusPublicLos Lunas · 2-year | $1,878 | $1,878 | Public |
| 10 | University of New Mexico-Taos CampusPublicRanchos de Taos · 2-year | $2,004 | $2,004 | Public |
| 11 | New Mexico State University-AlamogordoPublicAlamogordo · 2-year | $2,136 | $2,520 | Public |
| 12 | New Mexico State University-GrantsPublicGrants · 2-year | $2,136 | $2,376 | Public |
| 13 | Mesalands Community CollegePublicTucumcari · 2-year | $2,136 | $2,136 | Public |
| 14 | Santa Fe Community CollegePublicSanta Fe · 2-year | $2,145 | $2,505 | Public |
| 15 | University of New Mexico-Los Alamos CampusPublicLos Alamos · 2-year | $2,214 | $2,214 | Public |
| 16 | Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell CampusPublicRoswell · 2-year | $2,256 | $2,424 | Public |
| 17 | Navajo Technical UniversityPublicCrownpoint · Less than 2-year | $2,402 | $2,402 | Public |
| 18 | University of New Mexico-Gallup CampusPublicGallup · 2-year | $2,646 | $2,646 | Public |
| 19 | Northern New Mexico CollegePublicEspanola · Less than 2-year | $5,064 | $5,064 | Public |
| 20 | Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts DevelopmentPublicSanta Fe · Less than 2-year | $5,561 | $5,561 | Public |
| 21 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPublicPortales · Less than 2-year | $6,738 | $6,738 | Public |
| 22 | New Mexico Military InstitutePublicRoswell · 2-year | $6,965 | $6,965 | Public |
| 23 | New Mexico Highlands UniversityPublicLas Vegas · Less than 2-year | $7,140 | $7,140 | Public |
| 24 | New Mexico State University-Main CampusPublicLas Cruces · Less than 2-year | $7,543 | $7,543 | Public |
| 25 | Western New Mexico UniversityPublicSilver City · Less than 2-year | $7,657 | $7,657 | Public |
| 26 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusPublicAlbuquerque · Less than 2-year | $8,076 | $8,076 | Public |
| 27 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologyPublicSocorro · Less than 2-year | $9,058 | $9,058 | Public |
| 28 | University of the SouthwestPrivateHobbs · Less than 2-year | $17,200 | $17,200 | Private nonprofit |
| 29 | St. John's CollegePrivateSanta Fe · Less than 2-year | $37,090 | $37,090 | Private nonprofit |
| 30 | Brookline College-AlbuquerqueFor-profitAlbuquerque · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private for-profit |
| 31 | Burrell College of Osteopathic MedicineFor-profitLas Cruces · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private for-profit |
| 32 | Carrington College-AlbuquerqueFor-profitAlbuquerque · 2-year | — | — | Private for-profit |
| 33 | Pima Medical Institute-AlbuquerqueFor-profitAlbuquerque · 2-year | — | — | Private for-profit |
| 34 | Southwest Acupuncture College-Santa FeFor-profitSanta Fe · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private for-profit |
| 35 | Southwestern CollegePrivateSanta Fe · Less than 2-year | — | — | Private nonprofit |
| 36 | Southwestern Indian Polytechnic InstitutePublicAlbuquerque · 2-year | — | — | Public |
By city
Questions
What is the cheapest college in New Mexico?
Luna Community College in Las Vegas, at $1,130 per year for in-state students. The next cheapest are Southeast New Mexico College ($1,176), Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College ($1,372), New Mexico Junior College ($1,440).
How much does college cost in New Mexico?
The median published in-state tuition is $2,214 per year across 29 colleges that reported. Community colleges sit at the low end; private four-year schools at the high end. Remember this is tuition and fees only — housing, food and books are extra.
Public or private — which is cheaper?
Public colleges usually have a much lower sticker price for state residents because taxpayers subsidize them. But private colleges often give larger scholarships, so the net price can end up similar. Always compare after aid, not before.
Do I have to live in New Mexico to get in-state tuition?
Generally yes, and the rules are stricter than people expect. Most states require 12 months of residency for reasons other than education, plus proof like a driver's license, voter registration and tax filings. Check the specific school's residency policy.
About this data
Every figure comes from IPEDS 2022 — the survey every U.S. college receiving federal student aid must complete. We list published tuition and fees for full-time undergraduates. Schools that did not report tuition appear at the bottom with a dash. Confirm current pricing on each school's website before applying.