About Central New Mexico Community College
Central New Mexico Community College serves as Albuquerque's primary pathway to higher education and workforce training. The college enrolls 15,246 students across a large urban campus that has been preparing New Mexicans for careers and transfer opportunities since 1964. CNM specializes in hands-on technical programs, healthcare training, and university transfer preparation. Students benefit from small class sizes with a 21:1 student-faculty ratio. The college draws heavily from the local community, with 97.50% of students coming from in-state.
The financial picture makes CNM highly accessible for working families. Students pay an average net price of $3,454 after aid, with low-income families paying just $2,092. Graduates earn a median of $36,869 ten years after enrollment, creating a strong return on investment. Most students graduate with minimal debt, owing a median of $6,612. Monthly loan payments average just $70, making repayment manageable for most graduates.
The student body reflects Albuquerque's diverse population, with 55.08% Hispanic students and women comprising 61.75% of enrollment. An impressive 88.6% of graduates find employment after completing their programs. The college operates on a trimester system, allowing students to accelerate their studies or balance education with work and family responsibilities.
The financial picture makes CNM highly accessible for working families. Students pay an average net price of $3,454 after aid, with low-income families paying just $2,092. Graduates earn a median of $36,869 ten years after enrollment, creating a strong return on investment. Most students graduate with minimal debt, owing a median of $6,612. Monthly loan payments average just $70, making repayment manageable for most graduates.
The student body reflects Albuquerque's diverse population, with 55.08% Hispanic students and women comprising 61.75% of enrollment. An impressive 88.6% of graduates find employment after completing their programs. The college operates on a trimester system, allowing students to accelerate their studies or balance education with work and family responsibilities.
Academics & Faculty
Central New Mexico Community College serves as Albuquerque's primary pathway to four-year universities and career training. The college enrolls 15,246 students with a 21:1 student-faculty ratio that reflects its focus on accessible education rather than intensive mentoring. CNM is particularly recognized for its nursing and healthcare programs, which feed into Albuquerque's growing medical sector. The 28.90% six-year graduation rate is typical for community colleges where many students transfer before completing degrees or attend part-time while working. The trimester calendar system allows students to accelerate their studies. CNM also offers strong automotive and culinary programs that connect directly to local industry needs in New Mexico's largest city.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 33.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 28.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $36,869
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $62,734 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $48,326 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $45,128 |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $41,565 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $37,208 |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $35,416 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $34,111 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $33,077 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $32,925 |
Campus Life
Central New Mexico Community College sprawls across multiple campuses throughout Albuquerque, the state's largest city with over half a million residents. Students experience high desert weather with 310 sunny days annually, meaning sunglasses are essential but winter coats are rarely needed. The 21:1 student-faculty ratio creates a more personal learning environment than typical large universities. With 97.5% of students from New Mexico, you'll find a strong local community feel.
The student body reflects Albuquerque's diversity, with 55% Hispanic students creating a active multicultural atmosphere. Women make up 61.75% of enrollment, typical for community colleges nationwide. Since CNM doesn't offer on-campus housing, students commute from across the metro area. Weekends often center around Albuquerque's rich cultural scene, from Old Town's historic plaza to the Sandia Mountains for hiking. The trimester calendar system keeps academics moving quickly. Many students work while attending, as the $3,454 average net price makes education accessible for working families throughout central New Mexico.
The student body reflects Albuquerque's diversity, with 55% Hispanic students creating a active multicultural atmosphere. Women make up 61.75% of enrollment, typical for community colleges nationwide. Since CNM doesn't offer on-campus housing, students commute from across the metro area. Weekends often center around Albuquerque's rich cultural scene, from Old Town's historic plaza to the Sandia Mountains for hiking. The trimester calendar system keeps academics moving quickly. Many students work while attending, as the $3,454 average net price makes education accessible for working families throughout central New Mexico.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Calendar System
- Trimester
- Founded
- 1964
Campus Safety (2023)
25 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Stalking | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 26°–46°F
- July Avg
- 66°–90°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 9.5"
- Annual Snowfall
- 9.6"
Student Demographics
Central New Mexico Community College draws nearly all its students from within state borders, reflecting its role as Albuquerque's primary pathway to higher education and workforce training. Women make up roughly two-thirds of the student body, typical for community colleges that emphasize health sciences, education, and human services programs. The campus serves a predominantly Hispanic student population in a city where these communities have deep roots. One in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the college's commitment to making education accessible for working families and first-generation college students seeking affordable career preparation.
- Men
- 38.3%
- Women
- 61.8%
- White
- 24.2%
- Black
- 2.9%
- Hispanic
- 55.1%
- Asian
- 1.9%
- In-State Students
- 97.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 25.9%
Location
Central New Mexico Community College sits in Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city with over 560,000 residents. The campus serves a metro area of nearly one million people in the high desert Southwest. Albuquerque sits at 5,312 feet elevation with the Sandia Mountains rising to the east and the Rio Grande flowing through the valley. The city blends Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures with a strong arts scene and growing tech sector. Students can explore Old Town's historic plaza, hike nearby trails, or catch Breaking Bad filming locations around the city. With 97.50% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from local communities. Students considering colleges in New Mexico may also compare Central New Mexico Community College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $36,869
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $43,481
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $26,700
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 31.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $70/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $6,612
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements at Central New Mexico Community College?
CNM operates with open enrollment, meaning all students with a high school diploma or GED can get in. The college enrolls 15,246 students and serves as Albuquerque's primary pathway for workforce training and university transfer.
How much does Central New Mexico Community College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $3,454 per year, with low-income families paying just $2,092. Only 25.90% of students receive federal financial aid, reflecting the already affordable $1,934 in-state tuition that keeps most families from needing loans.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Central New Mexico Community College?
Classes average 21 students per instructor, typical for a large community college system. CNM operates on a trimester calendar and focuses heavily on career-oriented programs that connect directly to Albuquerque's job market.
What do graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn?
Alumni earn a median of $36,869 ten years after starting college, with an 88.6% employment rate. The college excels at workforce development, particularly in healthcare, manufacturing, and technical fields that serve New Mexico's growing economy.
Where is Central New Mexico Community College located?
The main campus sits in Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city, with 97.50% of students coming from in-state. CNM has grown into the state's largest community college since opening in 1964, serving a diverse student body that is 55.08% Hispanic.
Does Central New Mexico Community College have good completion rates?
About 28.90% of students graduate within six years, which reflects the college's role serving many part-time and working adult students. Students typically carry low debt loads of $6,612 and make monthly loan payments of just $70, making education accessible for career changers and first-generation college students.
