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Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico

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2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

12 Schools Ranked
$5,170 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$13,628 Avg Student Debt*

There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. Our analysis looked at 12 schools in New Mexico to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico
595 Total Awards
$4,882 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named San Juan College the best value school in New Mexico for trade school students working on their associate degree. SJC is a medium-sized public school situated in Farmington, New Mexico. It awarded 595 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SJC are $4,882 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,626 in student loans.

SJC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, SJC is ranked #1 for overall quality in New Mexico.

Read full report on San Juan College

#2

Clovis Community College

Clovis, New Mexico
292 Total Awards
$3,224 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Clovis Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Clovis, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 292 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Clovis Community College are $3,224 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,343 in student loans.

Clovis Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 56% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Clovis Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Mexico list.

Read More…

#3

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
3,426 Total Awards
$7,978 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central New Mexico Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico list. CNM is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,426 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

CNM undergraduate students pay an average of $7,978 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,753 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at CNM. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

CNM also took the #3 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Mexico rankings.

Read full report on Central New Mexico Community College

204 Total Awards
$5,422 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Gallup, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 204 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNM Gallup are $5,422 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,575 in student loans.

Online courses are available at UNM Gallup, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UNM Gallup is ranked #2 for overall quality in New Mexico.

Read full report on University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus

#5

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus

Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico
56 Total Awards
$5,004 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at University of New Mexico - Taos Campus helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in New Mexico. Located in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 56 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

UNM Taos undergraduate students pay an average of $5,004 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,575 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UNM Taos. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

UNM Taos also took the #5 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Mexico rankings.

Read full report on University of New Mexico - Taos Campus

130 Total Awards
$4,008 Average Tuition & Fees

New Mexico State University - Carlsbad came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. Located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 130 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NMSU Carlsbad are $4,008 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,626 in loans while pursuing their degree.

NMSU Carlsbad does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#7

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico
908 Total Awards
$5,880 Average Tuition & Fees

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. NMSU Dona Ana is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 908 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

NMSU Dona Ana undergraduate students pay an average of $5,880 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,537 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at NMSU Dona Ana. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

171 Total Awards
$5,616 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Roswell, New Mexico, and it awarded 171 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

ENMU - Roswell Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $5,616 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,539 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

ENMU - Roswell Campus does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus Report

#9

Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe, New Mexico
251 Total Awards
$4,995 Average Tuition & Fees

Santa Fe Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico list. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the small public school handed out 251 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SFCC are $4,995 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,148 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SFCC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#10

New Mexico State University - Alamogordo

Alamogordo, New Mexico
82 Total Awards
$5,592 Average Tuition & Fees

New Mexico State University - Alamogordo ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico list. Located in Alamogordo, New Mexico, the small public school handed out 82 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NMSU Alamogordo are $5,592 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,385 in loans while pursuing their degree.

NMSU Alamogordo does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 83% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

37 Total Awards
$4,272 Average Tuition & Fees

New Mexico State University - Grants ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico list. Grants, New Mexico is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 37 students in 2021-2022.

NMSU Grants undergraduate students pay an average of $4,272 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,003 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at NMSU Grants. During the 2020-2021 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on New Mexico State University - Grants

#12

Brookline College - Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico
5 Total Awards
$19,477 Avg Student Debt

Brookline College - Albuquerque ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico list. Brookline College - Albuquerque is a very small private for-profit school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 5 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Brookline College - Albuquerque undergraduate students pay an average of $0 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,477 in student loans.

Brookline College - Albuquerque is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Brookline College - Albuquerque Report

Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 12 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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