2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in New Mexico
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in New Mexico
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Leading the list is New Mexico Military Institute, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in New Mexico. New Mexico Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Roswell. In-state tuition and fees average $7,190, compared with $14,156 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of New Mexico Military Institute earn a median of $10,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. New Mexico Military Institute admits about 53% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus, which ranked #2. Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public school located in the town of Ruidoso. In-state tuition and fees average $1,372, while out-of-state students pay about $3,268. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,110. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,110. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Grants is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. New Mexico State University Grants is a small public school located in the town of Grants. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,497. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,868. That is a strong return on a $10,497 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,625. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $31,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $18,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $16,706 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $32,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,084 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,417. That is a strong return on a $10,084 median debt.
New Mexico State University Carlsbad came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Carlsbad, New Mexico State University Carlsbad is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,176, while out-of-state students pay about $4,008. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of New Mexico State University Carlsbad earn a median of $30,774 early in their careers.
San Juan College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,402. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $17,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Navajo Technical College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Crownpoint, Navajo Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,498. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,364.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,497 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,868. That is a strong return on a $10,497 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Los Lunas, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,878, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,084 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,417. Set against $10,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Junior College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,440 in tuition and fees, compared with $2,280 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern New Mexico College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,112 ten years after entry.
Western New Mexico University came in at #16 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
New Mexico State University Alamogordo landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. New Mexico State University Alamogordo is a small public school located in the rural area of Alamogordo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $6,072. Students borrow a median of $10,497 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from New Mexico State University Alamogordo generally make around $27,868. That is a strong return on a $10,497 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,577 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $29,718 early in their careers. Set against $17,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Mesalands Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Tucumcari, Mesalands Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $3,408. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mesalands Community College earn a median of $35,517 early in their careers.
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,136. Students borrow a median of $10,084 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,417. Set against $10,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Fe Community College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $51,935. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Los Alamos, University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,578. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,084 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,417. Set against $10,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Highlands University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,606 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $26,461 early in their careers. Set against $28,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,605 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $26,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of The Southwest ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,670. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of The Southwest generally make around $45,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
