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Cheapest community colleges in New Mexico

Community colleges in New Mexico ranked by published in-state tuition, lowest first. Published tuition is the sticker price; the price you actually pay is typically much lower after federal Pell grants and state aid. Use this list as a starting point, then file the FAFSA to see your real cost.

  1. Southwestern Indian Polytechnic InstituteAlbuquerque, NM$1,095
  2. Southeast New Mexico CollegeCarlsbad, NM$1,176
  3. New Mexico Junior CollegeHobbs, NM$1,440
  4. Luna Community CollegeLas Vegas, NM$1,474
  5. University of New Mexico-Valencia County CampusLos Lunas, NM$1,878
  6. New Mexico State University-GrantsGrants, NM$2,136
  7. University of New Mexico-Los Alamos CampusLos Alamos, NM$2,214
  8. New Mexico State University-Dona AnaLas Cruces, NM$2,322
  9. New Mexico State University-AlamogordoAlamogordo, NM$2,616
  10. University of New Mexico-Gallup CampusGallup, NM$2,906
  11. Northern New Mexico CollegeEspanola, NM$6,400
  12. New Mexico Military InstituteRoswell, NM$7,190

Reading the list

The figures above are the published in-state tuition rates each New Mexico community college reports to the U.S. Department of Education. These are the rates posted to the institution's tuition schedule before any aid is applied. For most New Mexico community-college students, federal Pell grants alone cover a substantial share of tuition, and state aid programs in New Mexico often cover the remainder for residents who qualify. Out-of-state tuition is typically higher; check the individual college profile for both rates.

Tuition alone is not the right comparison for a complete cost picture. The College Scorecard also reports total annual cost of attendance — tuition plus required fees, books, room and board (if applicable), and other expenses — which is the more meaningful number when you are budgeting for a year of school. Each college's full profile lists cost of attendance alongside tuition. For students who can live at home and avoid room-and-board costs, the gap between tuition and cost of attendance shrinks substantially.

If your goal is the lowest possible total cost, the cheapest tuition isn't always the right pick. A slightly more expensive program with a higher transfer rate or stronger articulation agreement with a four-year university may produce a lower total degree cost overall, because lost credit on transfer can erase the savings of a low community-college tuition.