New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM 88011
About New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is a public community college in Las Cruces, New Mexico, serving roughly 5,177 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $6,048 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $2,322. Student demographics in federal data include Hispanic or Latino (76.5%) and White (14.9%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key findings
- New Mexico State University-Dona Ana charges about 0.4× the national public median tuition ($2,322).
- Versus the New Mexico median, sticker tuition is 1% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 19.37%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $39,067.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 1515% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 57 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | $2,322 | $6,048 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| New Mexico (state median) | $2,289 | $5,908 | 30 |
| Suburban (locale median) | $13,135 | $18,048 | 684 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana really?
Key findings
- New Mexico State University-Dona Ana charges about 0.4× the national public median tuition ($2,322).
- Versus the New Mexico median, sticker tuition is 1% above.
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $2,322
Finding New Mexico State University-Dona Ana charges about 0.4× the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $2,322. That is about 0.4× the national public median ($5,512). Versus the New Mexico median ($2,289), sticker tuition is 1% above. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 0.2×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is $6,048.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $6,048 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $140 above the New Mexico median net price. Versus suburban campuses, net price runs $12,000 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At New Mexico State University-Dona Ana, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for New Mexico State University-Dona Ana—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$2,322
Out-of-state tuition
$6,360
Avg. net price
$6,048
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $5,475 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $5,904 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $7,663 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $10,624 |
| $110,001+ | $13,381 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $9,288. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is known for
Top program completions
- General Studies421
- Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)102
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching78
- Business/Commerce, General73
- Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician65
See earnings & programs for more.
Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for New Mexico State University-Dona Ana.
Campus
Location
Las Cruces, NM
City / state
- ZIP
- 88011
- NCES locale
- Suburb
Compared with Suburban campuses nationally, net price is about 0.3× the median for Suburban campuses ($18,048 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Southwest
- Carnegie
- Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Size
Enrollment
5,177
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 9,483
- Full-time share
- 56%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$17,095
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 35.35%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for New Mexico State University-Dona Ana.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for New Mexico State University-Dona Ana in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $1,560 | $4,968 | $6,197 |
| 2014 | $1,608 | $5,160 | $4,832 |
| 2015 | $1,632 | $5,184 | $6,092 |
| 2016 | $1,632 | $5,184 | $5,397 |
| 2017 | $1,728 | $5,496 | $6,175 |
| 2018 | $1,770 | $5,658 | $5,313 |
| 2019 | $1,776 | $5,664 | $5,539 |
| 2020 | $1,776 | $5,664 | $5,292 |
| 2021 | $1,776 | $5,664 | $4,998 |
| 2022 | $1,842 | $5,880 | $4,015 |
| 2023 | $2,322 | $6,360 | $4,621 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana reported total enrollment of about 5,177 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Hispanic or Latino (76.5%), White (14.9%), and Non-Resident Alien (2.4%). About 35.35% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 43.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
55.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana in 2024 is 5,177 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 9,483 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
63.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
5.54% 100% Completion Time
19.37% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 5.54% of students graduating from New Mexico State University-Dona Ana completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- General Studies: 34% male / 66% female
- Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic): 61% male / 39% female
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching: 3% male / 97% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana graduates earn a median of $39,067 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of New Mexico State University-Dona Ana.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $39,067. Median federal loan debt: $17,095. Average net price used in cost models: $6,048.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway New Mexico State University-Dona Ana graduates report median earnings of $39,067 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for New Mexico State University-Dona Ana.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (57 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for New Mexico State University-Dona Ana graduates.
Institutional resources
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for New Mexico State University-Dona Ana—instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 33.3%
- New Mexico median 18.1 pp below median (51.4%)
- Southwest median 26.4 pp below median (59.7%)
- U.S. median 24.6 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $7,451
- New Mexico median near the median ($7,218)
- Southwest median 1.1× the median ($7,078)
- U.S. median near the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,361
- New Mexico median 0.74× the median ($9,936)
- Southwest median 1.3× the median ($5,699)
- U.S. median near the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana at a glance
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is a public institution in Las Cruces, NM, classified as Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- General StudiesEmergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)Early Childhood Education & Teaching
- Largest enrollment groups
- Hispanic or Latino76.5%White or Caucasian14.9%Non-Resident Alien2.4%
- Opportunity College (2025)
- Higher access & higher earnings · Browse OCU directory
Schools near New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
Other campuses in Las Cruces, NM when available, plus nearby institutions in New Mexico.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within New Mexico, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana located?
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is located in Las Cruces, NM.
What is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana's tuition?
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $2,322 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $6,048 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does New Mexico State University-Dona Ana cost?
Reported tuition is $2,322 and average net price is $6,048 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,052 annually.
What explains New Mexico State University-Dona Ana's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($6,048), completion (19.4% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($39,067). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana reports undergraduate enrollment of about 9,483 students, Hispanic or Latino (76.5%), White (14.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
About 43.6% of students at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of New Mexico State University-Dona Ana earn?
Median earnings are $32,960 six years after entry and $39,067 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
The 150%-time completion rate is 19.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do New Mexico State University-Dona Ana students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $17,095.
Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana public or private?
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is a public institution located in Las Cruces, NM.
Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana an HBCU?
No. New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana a tribal college?
No. New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- New Mexico college profile
- New Mexico college costs
- New Mexico colleges by ROI
- New Mexico trade schools profile
- Las Cruces, New Mexico city profile
- Southwest regional profile
- Suburban college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in New Mexico
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.