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University of New Mexico-Main Campus vs Central New Mexico Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Albuquerque NM · vs · Public, Albuquerque 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-Main Campus comes closer — median earnings $44,792 against a $61,956 total, vs $36,869 at Central New Mexico Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of New Mexico-Main CampusCentral New Mexico Community College
Net price / yr$15,489$4,621
Total net cost$61,956$18,484
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,792$36,869
Median debt$18,450$6,612
Payback——
20-year net return-$133,316-$248,304

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

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

Central New Mexico Community College, at $4,621 a year after aid versus $15,489 — a gap of $10,868 a year, or $43,472 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of New Mexico-Main Campus or Central New Mexico Community College graduates earn more?

University of New Mexico-Main 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, University of New Mexico-Main Campus or Central New Mexico Community College?

Central New Mexico Community College: its completers carry a median $6,612 in federal loans versus $18,450 at University of New Mexico-Main 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?

55% of students finish at University of New Mexico-Main Campus, 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.

University of New Mexico-Main Campus vs Central New Mexico Community College: frequently asked questions

Is University of New Mexico-Main Campus or Central New Mexico Community College a better value?
University of New Mexico-Main 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, University of New Mexico-Main Campus or Central New Mexico Community College?
Central New Mexico Community College: $4,621/yr net price after aid versus $15,489/yr at University of New Mexico-Main Campus — a difference of $10,868 a year, or about $43,472 over four years.
Do University of New Mexico-Main Campus or Central New Mexico Community College graduates earn more?
University of New Mexico-Main 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.