2026 Best Value Science & Tech Schools in New Mexico
Looking for the best-value Science & Tech degree programs in New Mexico? We have ranked 45 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed 21 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in New Mexico
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Clovis Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in New Mexico. Set in Clovis, NM, Clovis Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Students borrow a median of $11,082 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Median earnings reach $34,020 ten years out. Set against $11,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Clovis Community College
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Science & Tech ranking in New Mexico. Set in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $10,112. Median earnings reach $36,869 ten years out. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Central New Mexico Community College report
You'll get strong value at San Juan College, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Farmington, NM, San Juan College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $16,150. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,513 ten years after entry. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full San Juan College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Carlsbad earned it the #4 place in New Mexico. Based in Carlsbad, NM, New Mexico State University Carlsbad is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,176, with out-of-state students paying around $4,008. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full New Mexico State University Carlsbad report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New Mexico Taos Campus earned it the #5 place in New Mexico. Based in Ranchos de Taos, NM, University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $5,136. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $10,986. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,792. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt. See the full University Of New Mexico Taos Campus profile
New Mexico State University Dona Ana offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Las Cruces, NM. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,067 ten years after entry. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full New Mexico State University Dona Ana report
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus placed #7 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in New Mexico. Set in Los Lunas, NM, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,878, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. The median Science & Tech program debt is $10,986. University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus alumni report median earnings of $44,792 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt. Read more about University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus
Santa Fe Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Santa Fe, NM. Students from in state pay about $1,851 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. The median Science & Tech program debt is $15,267. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,005. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Santa Fe Community College report
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus placed #9 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in New Mexico. Located in Gallup, NM, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $10,986. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus alumni report median earnings of $44,792 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus report
New Mexico State University Grants offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Grants, NM, New Mexico State University Grants is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. The median Science & Tech program debt is $9,048. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,067 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Grants
New Mexico State University Alamogordo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Set in Alamogordo, NM, New Mexico State University Alamogordo is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $6,072. New Mexico State University Alamogordo Science & Tech students take on a median of $8,872 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,067. Set against $8,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Alamogordo
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a public school based in Roswell, NM. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus Science & Tech students take on a median of $11,110 in debt. Median earnings reach $38,550 ten years out. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for value in New Mexico this year. Based in Portales, NM, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $19,277. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $38,550 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus profile
Western New Mexico University landed the #14 spot for value in New Mexico this year. Set in Silver City, NM, Western New Mexico University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. The median Science & Tech program debt is $27,425. Western New Mexico University alumni report median earnings of $39,095 a decade after entry. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Western New Mexico University
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Located in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $18,747. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $76,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants. Read the full report on New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
New Mexico State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Las Cruces, NM. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $19,026. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,067 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read more about New Mexico State University Main Campus
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Santa Fe, NM. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,920. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,505 ten years after entry. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture
New Mexico Highlands University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. New Mexico Highlands University is a public school based in Las Vegas, NM. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,416, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. New Mexico Highlands University Science & Tech students take on a median of $18,900 in debt. New Mexico Highlands University alumni report median earnings of $45,937 a decade after entry. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on New Mexico Highlands University
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #19 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in New Mexico. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public school based in Albuquerque, NM. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $19,738. Median earnings reach $44,792 ten years out. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
University Of The Southwest placed #20 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in New Mexico. University Of The Southwest is a private not-for-profit school based in Hobbs, NM. In-state tuition and fees average $16,670. University Of The Southwest Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,162 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,389. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. Get the full University Of The Southwest report
Brookline College Albuquerque placed #21 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in New Mexico. This private for-profit school is set in Albuquerque, NM. Brookline College Albuquerque Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,271 in debt. Median earnings reach $29,576 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,271 median debt. See the full Brookline College Albuquerque profile
Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute report
Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque landed the #23 spot for value in New Mexico this year. See the full Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque profile
Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. More on Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus placed #25 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in New Mexico. See the full Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus profile
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in New Mexico
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
St Johns College New Mexico ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. See the full St Johns College New Mexico profile
Southwestern College Santa Fe offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. More on Southwestern College Santa Fe
Northern New Mexico College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. See the full Northern New Mexico College profile
A Better U Beauty Barber Academy placed #29 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in New Mexico. More on A Better U Beauty Barber Academy
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Rio Rancho came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. See the full Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Rio Rancho profile
New Mexico Junior College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about New Mexico Junior College
New Mexico Military Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on New Mexico Military Institute
Burrell College Of Osteopathic Medicine landed the #33 spot for value in New Mexico this year. Read the full report on Burrell College Of Osteopathic Medicine
Luna Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Read the full report on Luna Community College
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute landed the #35 spot for value in New Mexico this year. See the full Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute profile
Olympian Academy Of Cosmetology Alamogordo offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Olympian Academy Of Cosmetology Alamogordo report
University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. See the full University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus profile
Southwest University Of Naprapathic Medicine came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Southwest University Of Naprapathic Medicine
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque landed the #39 spot for value in New Mexico this year. See the full Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque profile
Mesalands Community College landed the #40 spot for value in New Mexico this year. Read the full report on Mesalands Community College
Carrington College Albuquerque landed the #41 spot for value in New Mexico this year. Get the full Carrington College Albuquerque report
Navajo Technical College landed the #42 spot for value in New Mexico this year. Get the full Navajo Technical College report
Glitz School Of Cosmetology Santa Fe Campus placed #43 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in New Mexico. Get the full Glitz School Of Cosmetology Santa Fe Campus report
Glitz School Of Cosmetology offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. See the full Glitz School Of Cosmetology profile
Aveda Institute New Mexico placed #45 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in New Mexico. Get the full Aveda Institute New Mexico report
More Science & Tech Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 21 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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