Luna Community College vs Carrington College-Albuquerque: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Luna Community College comes closer — median earnings $32,461 against a $18,380 total, vs $36,718 at Carrington College-Albuquerque. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Luna Community College | Carrington College-Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,595 | $49,030 |
| Total net cost | $18,380 | $196,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,461 | $36,718 |
| Median debt | — | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$336,360 | -$428,960 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Luna Community College or Carrington College-Albuquerque?
Luna Community College, at $4,595 a year after aid versus $49,030 — a gap of $44,435 a year, or $177,740 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Luna Community College or Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates earn more?
Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates report a median $36,718 ten years after entry, $4,257 more than the $32,461 at Luna 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 graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Carrington College-Albuquerque, against 28% at Luna 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.