2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in New Mexico
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in New Mexico
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in New Mexico. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned it the #2 place for nursing. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,110. Early-career nursing graduates make about $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Clovis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,250. Nursing graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $73,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Juan College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $67,860. Set against $19,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,467 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,510. Set against $16,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Carlsbad ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. New Mexico State University Carlsbad is a small public school located in the rural area of Carlsbad. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,176, with out-of-state students paying around $4,008. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,467 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,510.
Northern New Mexico College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,064, while out-of-state students pay about $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus placed #8 among the best values for nursing. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,536 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $71,767 early in their careers. Set against $11,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $90,938. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
New Mexico Junior College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hobbs. Students from in state pay about $1,440 in tuition and fees, compared with $2,280 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,472 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of New Mexico Junior College earn a median of $71,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,472 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $75,870. Set against $18,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Western New Mexico University earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Students borrow a median of $31,088 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $73,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,088 median debt.
Luna Community College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Las Vegas, Luna Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,474, compared with $3,418 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates of Luna Community College earn a median of $32,091 early in their careers.
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Los Lunas, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,878, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,536 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earn a median of $71,767 early in their careers. Set against $11,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Fe Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,074 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $79,098 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,074 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos, University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $5,136. Students borrow a median of $11,536 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Highlands University placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $21,392 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $88,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,404 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $84,023. That is a strong return on a $18,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Brookline College Albuquerque landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Brookline College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $41,937 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carrington College Albuquerque ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Carrington College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $32,969 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,515. Set against $32,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
