2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico
With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a college degree. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top New Mexico Colleges for an Associate ranking - to help you make that decision.
Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of School Matters
We analyzed 18 colleges and universities across New Mexico to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.
Early-Career Earnings
Average early-career salary of those graduating with an associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their associate degree.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in New Mexico have accumulated an average of $16,074 in student debt.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Check Out These Other Rankings
If you'd rather work on your associate degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our
rankings by place. In addition, we've put together a number of other
college rankings that may help you in your search.
Top Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
4,114
Associate Degrees Awarded
$30,561
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,660
Average Student Debt
Our analysis found Central New Mexico Community College to be the best school for associate degrees in New Mexico in this year’s ranking. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the fairly large public school awarded 4,114 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from CNM is $30,561 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $9,660 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Central New Mexico Community College
266
Associate Degrees Awarded
$29,262
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,000
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 in New Mexico on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Located in Portales, New Mexico, the medium-sized public school handed out 266 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from ENMU - Main Campus make an average of $29,262 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,000 after getting their degree.
Full Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Report
667
Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,738
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,694
Average Student Debt
The excellent associate degree programs at San Juan College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in New Mexico. Located in Farmington, New Mexico, the medium-sized public school awarded 667 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from SJC make an average of $36,738 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,694 after getting their degree.
Full San Juan College Report
890
Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,467
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,046
Average Student Debt
A rank of #4 on our Best Associate Degree in New Mexico list means New Mexico State University - Dona Ana is a great place for students working on their degree. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 890 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from NMSU Dona Ana is $31,467 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,046 after getting their degree.
Learn More About New Mexico State University - Dona Ana
109
Associate Degrees Awarded
$14,342
Average Early-Career Earnings
$6,513
Average Student Debt
A rank of #5 on our Best Associate Degree in New Mexico list means New Mexico Military Institute is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Roswell, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 109 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $14,342 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $6,513 after getting their degree.
Learn More About New Mexico Military Institute
199
Associate Degrees Awarded
$29,262
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,000
Average Student Debt
Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. This small public school is located in Roswell, New Mexico, and it awarded 199 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from ENMU - Roswell Campus make an average of $29,262 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,000 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus
244
Associate Degrees Awarded
$42,499
Average Early-Career Earnings
$20,054
Average Student Debt
Santa Fe Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. Santa Fe, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 244 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,499 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $20,054 in student loans.
Full Santa Fe Community College Report
379
Associate Degrees Awarded
$48,236
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,237
Average Student Debt
Clovis Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. Clovis Community College is a small public school located in Clovis, New Mexico that handed out 379 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Clovis Community College make an average of $48,236 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $10,237.
Full Clovis Community College Report
251
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,137
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,748
Average Student Debt
New Mexico Junior College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico list. This small public school is located in Hobbs, New Mexico, and it awarded 251 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $43,137 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,748 in student loans.
Read full report on New Mexico Junior College
76
Associate Degrees Awarded
Western New Mexico University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. Located in Silver City, New Mexico, the small public school awarded 76 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Learn More About Western New Mexico University
192
Associate Degrees Awarded
$30,476
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,766
Average Student Debt
University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. UNM Gallup is located in Gallup, New Mexico and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 192 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from UNM Gallup go into careers with an average salary of $30,476 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,766.
Learn More About University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus
127
Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,288
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,046
Average Student Debt
New Mexico State University - Carlsbad did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, the small public school handed out 127 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from NMSU Carlsbad make an average of $31,288 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,046 in student loans.
Full New Mexico State University - Carlsbad Report
86
Associate Degrees Awarded
$30,476
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,766
Average Student Debt
University of New Mexico - Taos Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. UNM Taos is a public institution located in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 86 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $30,476 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,766.
Read full report on University of New Mexico - Taos Campus
76
Associate Degrees Awarded
$27,103
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,687
Average Student Debt
New Mexico State University - Alamogordo came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. This small public school is located in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and it awarded 76 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from NMSU Alamogordo is $27,103 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $9,687 in student loans.
Read full report on New Mexico State University - Alamogordo
33
Associate Degrees Awarded
$27,231
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,675
Average Student Debt
New Mexico State University - Grants ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico list. NMSU Grants is a small public school situated in Grants, New Mexico. It awarded 33 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from NMSU Grants go into careers with an average salary of $27,231 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $9,675 in student loans.
Read full report on New Mexico State University - Grants
101
Associate Degrees Awarded
$30,476
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,766
Average Student Debt
University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking. University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus is a small public school located in Los Lunas, New Mexico that handed out 101 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from UNM Valencia is $30,476 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,766 in student loans.
Read full report on University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus
51
Associate Degrees Awarded
$20,768
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,756
Average Student Debt
University of New Mexico - Los Alamos Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking, coming in at #17. This small public school is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and it awarded 51 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from UNM Los Alamos make an average of $20,768 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $10,756 in student loans.
Full University of New Mexico - Los Alamos Campus Report
13
Associate Degrees Awarded
$27,188
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,846
Average Student Debt
Brookline College - Albuquerque did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in New Mexico ranking, coming in at #18. This small private for-profit school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 13 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Brookline College - Albuquerque go into careers with an average salary of $27,188 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $18,846.
Learn More About Brookline College - Albuquerque
Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region
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