Degree Dividend
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Central New Mexico Community College vs San Juan College: which has better ROI?

Public, Albuquerque NM · vs · Public, Farmington NM

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Central New Mexico Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,869 against a $18,484 total, vs $36,513 at San Juan College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCentral New Mexico Community CollegeSan Juan College
Net price / yr$4,621$5,769
Total net cost$18,484$23,076
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,869$36,513
Median debt$6,612$9,750
Payback
20-year net return-$248,304-$260,016

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Central New Mexico Community College or San Juan College?

Central New Mexico Community College, at $4,621 a year after aid versus $5,769 — a gap of $1,148 a year, or $4,592 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Central New Mexico Community College or San Juan College graduates earn more?

Central New Mexico Community College graduates report a median $36,869 ten years after entry, $356 more than the $36,513 at San Juan College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Central New Mexico Community College or San Juan College?

Central New Mexico Community College: its completers carry a median $6,612 in federal loans versus $9,750 at San Juan College, a difference of $3,138. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

37% of students finish at San Juan College, against 31% at Central New Mexico Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Central New Mexico Community College vs San Juan College: frequently asked questions

Is Central New Mexico Community College or San Juan College a better value?
Central New Mexico Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Central New Mexico Community College or San Juan College?
Central New Mexico Community College: $4,621/yr net price after aid versus $5,769/yr at San Juan College — a difference of $1,148 a year, or about $4,592 over four years.
Do Central New Mexico Community College or San Juan College graduates earn more?
Central New Mexico Community College graduates earn a median $36,869 ten years after entry, versus $36,513 at San Juan College — a $356 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.