2027 Best Value Education Schools in New Mexico
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in New Mexico
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat New Mexico State University Grants this year. Located in the town of Grants, New Mexico State University Grants is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,272 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,048 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of New Mexico State University Grants earn a median of $34,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,048 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Clovis Community College one of the best values for education. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Students borrow a median of $11,082 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,625. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $29,708. 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 #4 place for education. 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, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,110. Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $19,157. Early-career education graduates make about $42,593. 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 #6 spot for education value this year. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. In-state tuition and fees average $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $20,646. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Luna Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Luna Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,474, compared with $3,418 for out-of-state students. Education graduates of Luna Community College earn a median of $32,091 early in their careers.
San Juan College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $25,150 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,618. That is a strong return on a $25,150 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #9 spot for education value this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Junior College earned the #10 position for value in education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $2,280. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,986. Early-career education graduates make about $50,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern New Mexico College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,112.
Western New Mexico University landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $16,711 in student loans. Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,417 early in their careers. Set against $16,711 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology came in at #14 for value in education this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public school located in the town of Socorro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Education graduates carry a median of $18,747 in student loans. Education graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,747 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Fe Community College placed #15 among the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,851 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Education graduates carry a median of $15,185 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $43,383. That is a strong return on a $15,185 median debt.
New Mexico Highlands University came in at #16 for value in education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Education graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,705. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #17 for value in education this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,324. Early-career education graduates make about $38,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of The Southwest ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,670. Education graduates carry a median of $24,312 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of The Southwest earn a median of $42,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,312 median debt.
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
