Degree Dividend
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Central New Mexico Community College vs University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus: which has better ROI?

Public, Albuquerque NM · vs · Public, Los Alamos NM

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus comes closer — median earnings $44,792 against a $26,940 total, vs $36,869 at Central New Mexico Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCentral New Mexico Community CollegeUniversity of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus
Net price / yr$4,621$13,470
Total net cost$18,484$26,940
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,869$44,792
Median debt$6,612$18,450
Payback——
20-year net return-$248,304-$98,300

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

Which is cheaper, Central New Mexico Community College or University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus?

Central New Mexico Community College, at $4,621 a year after aid versus $13,470 — a gap of $8,849 a year, or $8,456 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 University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates earn more?

University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates report a median $44,792 ten years after entry, $7,923 more than the $36,869 at Central New Mexico Community 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 University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus?

Central New Mexico Community College: its completers carry a median $6,612 in federal loans versus $18,450 at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus, a difference of $11,838. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

31% of students finish at Central New Mexico Community College, against 23% at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus. 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 University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus: frequently asked questions

Is Central New Mexico Community College or University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus a better value?
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus 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 University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus?
Central New Mexico Community College: $4,621/yr net price after aid versus $13,470/yr at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus — a difference of $8,849 a year, or about $8,456 over four years.
Do Central New Mexico Community College or University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates earn more?
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates earn a median $44,792 ten years after entry, versus $36,869 at Central New Mexico Community College — a $7,923 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.