Best Community Colleges in New Mexico

Based in Tucumcari, Mesalands Community College serves over 1,000 students every semester. The school delivers transfer-focused associate degrees and technical certificates, many of which learners can earn remotely through asynchronous classes powered by the Moodle platform. Online programs include computer information systems, allied health, and health and physical education. Distance learners can also take coursework in mathematics and the physical sciences.

As one of the best community colleges in New Mexico, Mesalands delivers campus-based programs in areas like animal science, building trades, and wind energy technology. The college offers an associate degree in agribusiness, which prepares students for careers in farming and ranching. Learners who want to earn career-relevant certificates choose from programs in farrier science, technical and professional writing, and western silversmithing and fabrication. They can also pursue pre-nursing training in preparation for transfer into two- or four-year programs. In addition to affordable tuition prices, Mesalands provides a variety of scholarships.

Established in 1958, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell enrolls 3,000 students in more than 80 certificate and associate programs. The school operates an open-door admissions process that only requires candidates to complete an online application and sit for placement exams. Learners pay low tuition rates based on where they reside. All students can apply for financial aid, which includes scholarships for resident high school graduates, nursing candidates, and undocumented individuals.

ENMU-Roswell operates academic programs in three broad areas: arts and sciences, allied health, and technical education. Options for technical education include certificate training for automotive technology and police science. Students can also pursue professional pilot training, which results in an associate of applied science approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Graduates complete the necessary flight hours to work as airline transport pilots. ENMU-Roswell is one of the few community colleges in New Mexico to operate completion tracks for bachelor's and master's degrees in partnership with ENMU-Portales.

Located in Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College provides over 200 academic and career training programs through six schools. CNM is the largest community college in New Mexico, serving 22,000 students every semester. Prospective learners need to have either a minimum 2.5 high school GPA or transferable college credits. The school also accepts applicants with adequate ACT, SAT, PARC, or ACCUPLACER scores. Students benefit from ample financial aid opportunities, including state grants and institutional awards. CNM funds scholarships for state residents, first-generation students, returning learners, and members of Native American communities.

The catalog features technical certificate programs in industries like carpentry and photovoltaic systems. Additionally, students can train to become automotive technicians, truck drivers, and veterinary receptionists. CNM also delivers certificates that prepare learners to enter skilled and paraprofessional occupations. For students who want to earn associate credentials, options include psychology, computer information systems, and business administration. Students can also enroll in one of eight pre-health programs, such as nursing, dental hygiene, or health education.

New Mexico Junior College is a comprehensive two-year institution based in Hobbs. The school educates more than 2,200 students through 14 academic and technical programs. NMJC also offers dual-enrollment opportunities for public high school juniors and seniors. In addition to affordable tuition rates and one-on-one career services, students can access generous financial aid. Award opportunities include foundation scholarships based on academic performance and intended field of study. To apply for these scholarships, students submit an online application, current transcripts, and a one-page personal essay.

NMJC operates two dedicated transfer programs. Students can earn an associate of arts or science before completing their bachelor's degree at a partnering four-year institution. Candidates who want to work in trade careers can earn technical associate degrees in areas like cosmetology, energy technology, and law enforcement and corrections. They may also enroll in the animal science program and complete a generalist curriculum or pursue a specialized equine training track. Consistent with other community colleges in New Mexico, NMJC delivers distance education through Canvas.

Clovis Community College provides accessible higher education to individuals of all backgrounds, enrolling more than 3,100 students in associate and certificate programs. CCC also provides industry training and dual-enrollment opportunities. Students pay low tuition rates based on residency status and benefit from financial aid and tutoring services. Furthermore, CCC provides resume-building and job search assistance through its Career and Development Center.

Technical certificate programs include legal assistant studies, welding, and emergency medical services. Students can also enroll in an industrial technology program, which covers plant operations, equipment maintenance, and wind energy. They may also pursue training for automotive technology that prepares them for immediate career entry or a bachelor's degree in sales and marketing.

As one of the best community colleges in New Mexico, CCC delivers campus-based and online associate programs. Latter options include business administration, computer information systems, and criminal justice. Students who want to complete general education requirements before declaring a major can enroll in either the general studies program or the liberal arts program.

Located in Farmington, San Juan College was founded in 1956 as an agricultural and mechanical school. Today, the institution provides comprehensive academic and technical training programs to 6,700 students. To enroll, candidates submit a free application and can also apply for financial aid. They meet with advisors to complete career assessments and explore certificate/degree options. Learners can explore veterans benefits, tutoring services, and scholarships, as well as dedicated resources available through SJC's Herencia Latina Center and Native American Center.

Programming covers seven broad areas of study, including health sciences; business and entrepreneurship; and energy, manufacturing, and transportation. Students can also pursue social services training, earning credentials for fire and police science or teacher education leading to alternative licensure. Additionally, SJC operates computer science tracks, with options in cybersecurity support and digital media arts. On top of these campus-based programs, the college delivers online associate degrees in fields like psychology, occupational safety, and health information technology.

Santa Fe Community College has been providing affordable, high-quality academic programming and career training for over 30 years. The school serves more than 15,000 students annually and delivers distance education through Canvas. As one of the best community colleges in New Mexico for military students, SFCC offers tuition discounts and dedicated counseling to veterans. Military personnel also enjoy dedicated financial support, like the VFW Military Family Scholarship.

The college operates technical certificate programs in areas like building science, dental assisting, and plumbing. For students who want to continue their education at a four-year institution, SFCC offers an academic transfer plan that results in a certificate of liberal arts. Learners can also enroll in the New Mexico Environmental Job Training Program and participate in workforce development sessions over five weeks. This program prepares candidates to work as forklift operators and hazardous waste site specialists. Additionally, SFCC delivers associate-level training, with options in allied health, criminal justice, and business administration.

Founded in 1969, Luna Community College provides academic and technical training programs to improve job effectiveness and economic growth for the surrounding communities. Prospective students submit an online application and official transcripts. They also need to furnish adequate ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER test scores. LCC supports learners by offering low tuition rates and generous financial aid. Award opportunities include scholarships for New Mexico high school students and members of Native American tribes.

LCC provides transfer-focused associate programs in areas like general business and computer science. Students can also pursue a two-year nursing program to prepare for a career as a registered nurse. The 68-credit curriculum features required classes in developmental lifespan, pharmacology, and assessment and health promotion.

As one of the premier community colleges in New Mexico, LCC operates vocational education programs in fields like building technology, culinary arts, and barbering. Learners may also complete a program in automotive collision repair, which prepares them to sit for the Automotive Service Excellence Certification Test. LCC offers fully online classes and hybrid programming through Blackboard.

The University of New Mexico-Taos serves more than 1,200 students every semester, delivering affordable campus-based and remote programs. The school features low tuition prices based on residency status and facilitates scholarship opportunities for Taos county high school graduates and members of the Pueblo tribe. The college further supports learners by offering career guidance, tutoring services, and childcare.

One of the newest community colleges in New Mexico, UNM-Taos emphasizes innovative programming. Students can complete general education requirements by enrolling in the core curriculum program. Graduates can transfer to any one of the partnering four-year institutions. Through its extended learning platform, UNM-Taos provides online academic programs that include bachelor's programs and master's degrees.

Learners who prefer traditional academics choose from programs like business management, computer technology, and hospitality management. They can also train to work as licensed commercial drivers. Additionally, UNM-Taos operates allied health programs, with options for physical conditioning, nursing, and integrative health and medical massage.

Founded in 1968, New Mexico State University-Grants currently enrolls 1,000 students each semester. The institution maintains an open-door admissions policy that requires prospective learners to complete an online application and the ACCUPLACER exam. On top of associate degrees, NMSU Grants delivers dual-enrollment options and gainful employment programs. Latter options lead to certificates in high-need industries like woodworking, welding technology, medical billing and coding, and applied business retail.

Like other community colleges in New Mexico, NMSU Grants operates a distance education platform. Students can take individual online courses or pursue entirely remote programs through Canvas. Options include certificates in computer technology and early childhood education, as well as associate programs in criminal justice, social services, and pre-business.

NMSU Grants delivers a variety of campus-based programming. The catalog includes nursing, energy technology, and general studies. Students can also earn an associate of arts with an emphasis on Southwest heritage studies.