2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in New Mexico

1

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in New Mexico. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $74,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus
Roswell, NM

Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Clovis Community College
Clovis, NM

Clovis Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

A rank of #4 makes San Juan College one of the best values for registered nursing. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $67,860. Set against $19,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at New Mexico State University Dona Ana, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Students borrow a median of $16,467 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $78,510 early in their careers. Set against $16,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

New Mexico State University Carlsbad
Carlsbad, NM

New Mexico State University Carlsbad placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Carlsbad, New Mexico State University Carlsbad is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $1,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,008. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,467. Registered Nursing graduates of New Mexico State University Carlsbad earn a median of $78,510 early in their careers.

7

Northern New Mexico College
Espanola, NM

Northern New Mexico College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,064, while out-of-state students pay about $14,328. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,112.

8

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus
Gallup, NM

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,536 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,767. Set against $11,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $90,938 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

10

New Mexico Junior College
Hobbs, NM

New Mexico Junior College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,440, with out-of-state students paying around $2,280. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,472. Registered 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.

11

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $75,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

12

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,088. Registered Nursing graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $73,666 early in their careers. Set against $31,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Luna Community College
Las Vegas, NM

Luna Community College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Las Vegas, Luna Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,474, compared with $3,418 for out-of-state students. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $32,091.

14

University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus
Los Lunas, NM

University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Los Lunas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,878, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,536 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earn a median of $71,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,536 median debt.

15

Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Community College came in at #15 for value in registered nursing this year. Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,074 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $79,098 early in their careers. Set against $28,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

University Of New Mexico Taos Campus
Ranchos de Taos, NM

University Of New Mexico Taos Campus earned the #16 position for value in registered 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,136. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,536. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,767. Set against $11,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM

New Mexico Highlands University landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $21,392 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from New Mexico Highlands University generally make around $88,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $18,404 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $84,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

19

Brookline College Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM

Brookline College Albuquerque ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Brookline College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students borrow a median of $41,937 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Carrington College Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM

Carrington College Albuquerque came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Carrington College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $32,969 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,515. Set against $32,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.