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$1,790Tuition
4,228Students
32%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$36,513Earnings
#8 in New MexicoPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About San Juan College

San Juan College prepares students for careers in the energy-rich Four Corners region where New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona meet. The college enrolls 4,228 students and specializes in nursing, energy technology, and skilled trades that match the area's oil, gas, and healthcare industries. Students learn on a rural campus in Farmington, surrounded by desert landscapes and Native American communities that shape the college's inclusive mission.

The financial picture makes San Juan College particularly accessible to working-class families. Students pay an average net price of $4,526 after aid, with low-income families paying just $3,808. Graduates earn a median of $36,513 ten years after enrollment, which provides solid returns given the modest debt load of $9,750. Monthly loan payments average only $103, making this education highly affordable for the career outcomes it delivers.

The student body reflects the diverse Four Corners population, with women making up 69.94% of enrollment and Hispanic students comprising 21.24%. Nearly three-quarters of students come from New Mexico, creating tight community bonds. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention that helps explain the college's strong job placement record in regional industries. Only 150 on-campus housing spots are available, so most students commute from nearby communities.

Academics & Faculty

San Juan College serves the Four Corners region with practical career training that connects directly to local industry needs. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in hands-on programs. Students gravitate toward the nursing program, which feeds into the region's healthcare workforce, and energy technology courses that prepare graduates for oil and gas careers. The college also offers strong trades training in welding, automotive, and construction. With a 31.5% six-year graduation rate, the school focuses on getting students job-ready quickly rather than traditional academic completion. Many students pursue certificates or associate degrees designed for immediate employment in the region's dominant industries.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Full-Time Faculty
100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
31.5%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$36,513

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $63,005
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. Associate $53,358
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. Associate $52,107
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. Associate $47,260
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. Associate $45,340
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Associate $45,305
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. Associate $35,416
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. Associate $33,993
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Associate $32,925
Ground Transportation. Certificate $30,228

View all 84 programs →

Campus Life

Students at San Juan College experience small-town community college life in the high desert of northwestern New Mexico. The campus sits about 180 miles from Albuquerque in Four Corners country, where winter temperatures drop below freezing and you'll need that coat for snowy January days. Only about 4% of the 4,228 students live in the limited on-campus housing that accommodates 150 residents.

Most students commute from Farmington and surrounding Navajo Nation communities, creating a diverse campus where 21% identify as Hispanic and many are first-generation college students. With 70% women and strong nursing and energy programs, the student body reflects the region's healthcare and oil-gas workforce needs. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, but weekend social life happens off-campus in this rural setting. Students often work part-time jobs while attending classes, with 89% finding employment after graduation. The semester system fits well with local industry internships and clinical rotations that connect classroom learning to real Four Corners career opportunities.
Setting
Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity
150 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Founded
1956

Campus Safety (2023)

4 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Stalking 2 0 0 0
Domestic Violence 1 0 0 0
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
19°–43°F
July Avg
60°–93°F
Annual Precipitation
7.8"
Annual Snowfall
8.6"

Student Demographics

Women make up 70% of San Juan College's student body, reflecting the school's strong nursing and healthcare programs that traditionally attract female students. The college draws primarily from New Mexico and the Four Corners region, with 73% of students coming from in-state. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves working-class families in this rural area. The diverse student population includes significant Hispanic representation at 21%, mirroring the demographics of northwestern New Mexico. Most students are older learners seeking career training in energy, healthcare, and skilled trades.
Men
30.1%
Women
69.9%
White
31.4%
Black
1.0%
Hispanic
21.2%
Asian
0.5%
In-State Students
73.2%
Pell Grant Recipients
32.9%

Location

San Juan College sits in Farmington, New Mexico, roughly 180 miles northwest of Albuquerque in the Four Corners region where four states meet. The area serves as a center for energy production, particularly oil and natural gas extraction from the San Juan Basin. With 73% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from rural communities across northwestern New Mexico. Farmington's high desert landscape features red rock mesas and the San Juan River, creating a distinctive Southwestern setting far from major metropolitan areas. The region's economy centers on energy, agriculture, and Native American tourism, with several tribal communities nearby. Students considering colleges in New Mexico may also compare San Juan College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Farmington, New Mexico 87402-4699

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$36,513
Median Earnings (5 years)
$45,034
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$29,000
Loan Repayment Rate
41.4%
Monthly Loan Payment
$103/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,750

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements like at San Juan College?

San Juan College operates with an open admission policy typical of community colleges, making it accessible to students seeking affordable higher education in the Four Corners region. With 4,228 students enrolled, the college serves as a gateway for many to begin their post-secondary education or gain vocational skills. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention for students entering various programs.

How much does San Juan College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at San Juan College is $4,526, making it one of the most affordable options in New Mexico. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,808 after aid, while in-state tuition starts at only $1,790. About 33% of students receive financial aid, keeping education accessible for the diverse community the college serves.

What academic programs is San Juan College known for?

San Juan College specializes in nursing, energy technology, and trades training that align with regional employment opportunities. The college maintains strong connections to local industries in oil, gas, and healthcare sectors. With an employment rate of 89.6%, graduates find work in fields that match the economic needs of northwestern New Mexico.

What are the job prospects for San Juan College graduates?

Graduates earn a median of $36,513 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the practical, career-focused education the college provides. The high employment rate of 89.6% demonstrates strong regional job placement in energy and healthcare industries. Monthly loan payments average just $103, making the debt burden manageable for most graduates entering the workforce.

Does San Juan College have on-campus housing?

San Juan College offers limited on-campus housing with capacity for only 150 students out of its 4,228 total enrollment. Most students commute from the surrounding Four Corners area, with 73% coming from in-state. The rural-fringe setting means many students live at home or find housing in nearby Farmington while attending classes.

What makes the student body unique at San Juan College?

Women comprise nearly 70% of San Juan College's student body, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's prominent nursing and healthcare programs. The student population is 31% White and 21% Hispanic, representing the diverse demographics of the Four Corners region. This community college serves as an important educational bridge for first-generation college students and working adults seeking career advancement.