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2025 Best Online Community Colleges in New Mexico

By Jordan Beliles • Edited by Bailey Fletcher • Updated 7/16/2024

Want an online degree that's:

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  • Popular
  • Highly Rated
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Our list features some of the best online community colleges in New Mexico. Graduates from these programs can leverage their credentials in various industries, enhancing career prospects within and beyond the state. 

  • All colleges listed under Honorable Mention demonstrate noteworthy strengths in online enrollment, with Central New Mexico Community College leading with 7,860 online learners.
  • New Mexico State University - Alamogordo exhibits an impressive student-faculty ratio of 11:1, ensuring ample individual attention.
  • New Mexico Junior College is among the most affordable colleges in the country with a tuition rate of $2,250.

Our methodology for community colleges deviates from conventional ranking methods by prioritizing diverse student needs, such as affordability. 

Want an online degree that's:

  • Affordable
  • Popular
  • Highly Rated
  • Military-friendly

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Best by Affordability

For the Best by Affordability category, schools are selected based on their annual tuition rates. OnlineU staff manually research tuition costs on school websites, representing out-of-state tuition unless all online students can qualify for in-state rates. All of our most affordable schools are below $2,904 in tuition costs.

New Mexico Junior College

Key Metrics:

  • Annual Tuition: $2,250

Why We Like Them:

NMJC is the number one choice primarily for its extremely affordable tuition, standing at just $2,250, which places it at the top tier for cost-effectiveness. This financial accessibility is coupled with the fact that 83% of students receive financial aid, demonstrating a commitment to supporting students financially. While the college's retention and graduation rates are modest, the institution offers a variety of dedicated online associate of arts and associate of science degrees. Key programs include degrees in business, criminal justice, energy technology, and computer information systems, which are tailored to meet industry needs.

Clovis Community College - NM

Key Metrics:

  • Annual Tuition: $2,904

Why We Like Them:

CCC offers an exceptionally low tuition fee of $2,904. This cost-effective tuition is complemented by a strong financial aid program, with 98% of students receiving aid, reflecting the college's commitment to making education financially attainable. CCC's online community is well-supported, as evidenced by its enrollment of 739 distance learners. This demonstrates a strong support system for working students aiming to further their education. CCC has a diverse array of fully online programs, from behavioral science to mathematics, enabling students to pursue degrees at their convenience across various disciplines.

Honorable Mention

Many community colleges don't fit neatly into a single category, but that doesn't mean they should be overlooked. Our Honorable Mention section highlights schools that deserve your attention during your college search. The best online community colleges in New Mexico have online enrollment numbers between 672 and 7,860.

Central New Mexico Community College

Key Metrics:

  • Online Students: 7,860

Why We Like Them:

CNM has the most impressive online enrollment among community colleges in New Mexico with 7,860 students engaged in distance learning. This metric places CNM among the top 3% of online schools nationwide, underscoring its strong infrastructure and broad appeal. There are also 683 military students studying online, showcasing the school's highly flexible online programs for servicemembers and their families. Online courses are delivered in seven-week formats, allowing you to finish an associate degree in just over one year. Majors include psychology, cybersecurity, and communication, among others.

What Students Say:

"The teachers really care about your success... I felt they prepared me to join a higher level of teaching that the state really needs. I never had a problem with the administration either, always helpful. The online classes were as helpful and educational as the in-class experiences."

Anonymous, Graduated 2014

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Key Metrics:

  • Online Students: 2,937

Why We Like Them:

DACC shines with an outstanding online enrollment of 2,937 students, placing it among the top 16% of colleges with the highest online student populations. This impressive figure highlights the strength of its online education infrastructure, offering you an accessible learning environment while studying from home. Moreover, with 91% of students receiving financial aid, it demonstrates a commendable commitment to making education affordable and accessible to a majority of its student body. DACC offers over 115 certificates and degree options, as well as numerous non-credit options to prepare you for the workforce.

San Juan College

Key Metrics:

  • Online Students: 1,616

Why We Like Them:

SJC is another community college in New Mexico with a high online enrollment. With 1,616 students studying remotely, the school is positioned among the leading 26% of community colleges across the country. This level of student engagement in online courses underscores its strong digital infrastructure and appeal to distance learners. With an affordable tuition of $4,882, SJC offers a variety of online associate degree programs in diverse fields, including business administration, health information technology, information technology, liberal arts, marketing, occupational safety, physical therapist assistant, psychology, and veterinary technology.

What Students Say:

"I love this college, the advisors care so much! I am an online student but I feel as if I am sitting in class with everyone else because the advisors are so attentive and punctual to all my needs! Thank you San Juan College for all the help and for truly caring about your students!"

Anonymous, Graduated 2018

New Mexico State University - Alamogordo

Key Metrics:

  • Online Students: 672

Why We Like Them:

Studying at NMSU-A enables you to join a diverse community of 672 online students. This gives you a good chance to connect with peers from various backgrounds. We highly value its student-to-faculty ratio, which stands at 11:1, making it clear that NMSU-A offers better one-on-one support than other schools of its size. Online programs at NMSU-A are expansive, offering flexibility and varied disciplines. The college provides various online associate degrees in arts, pre-business, science, and criminal justice, along with specialized applied science degrees such as business management and paralegal studies.

Student Reviews of Online Associate Programs

keke, Graduated 2025

Attended: South University Online

Instructors are great. When i first enrolled i was told i would not have to pay any balances until after graduation. But this week 6/18/24 i have been getting emails to make payment plans for the loans. and i must admit the loans they want us to pay back is wayyy to much. So if you are wanting to become a medical assistant, just go to a community college its only 6 months and less money!!

Review Date: 6/19/2024

Attended: South University Online

Overall Rating: 3/5

Experience Rating: 3/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

keke, Graduated 2025

Angela, Graduated 2022

Attended: Purdue Global

Love Purdue Global! The professors are so wonderful, and provide such great feedback. Financial department handled everything for me. I never thought I would have been able to finish school with 4 kids and a full time job. Purdue has great flexibility and options.

Review Date: 7/15/2022

Attended: Purdue Global

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Angela, Graduated 2022

Leah Senio, Graduated 2022

Attended: University of Maryland, Baltimore County

UMBC is a very liberal college and all of my major related classes have been very one sided to the professors political agendas and didn't focus on the materials. Even In my art classes the teachers used the class time to discuss their political opinions rather than teaching the class. I had one class where we had to stay late because the professor used the time to talk about their opinions on BML and then had to quickly go over how to use the computer program we had to know how to use to complete... Read More

Review Date: 6/1/2021

Attended: University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Overall Rating: 2/5

Experience Rating: 2/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Leah Senio, Graduated 2022

GeckoGirl, Graduated 2021

The program as a whole, is fine. You definitely get your money’s worth of material. The only thing that makes this review negative, is the externship process. I went through so many hoops trying to get my second externship in order. I live in an area where farming and agriculture isn’t big, so trying to find a large animal site was a nightmare. I called about every clinic in southern New England for months, and was rejected several times. The vet who finally agreed to help was two hours away, and... Read More

Review Date: 4/29/2021

Overall Rating: 3/5

Experience Rating: 4/5

Instruction Rating: 2/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

GeckoGirl, Graduated 2021

anonymous, Graduated 2021

Attended: Independence University

enrolling in this school was the biggest mistake of my life and if i can turn back time to never doing it i would. i have two more MODS left and i still havent done my externship. my site advisor told me that i should find somewhere but nobody will take me. i am paying so much for this school and passed all my classes and worked hard but im afraid i will have nothing to show for it but a huge bill. i wish i wouldve done my research first

Review Date: 4/25/2021

Attended: Independence University

Overall Rating: 2/5

Experience Rating: 2/5

Instruction Rating: 2/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

anonymous, Graduated 2021

La Harper, Graduated 2018

Attended: Ashworth College

My experience with Ashworth has been great, and their tuition is very affordable. I would recommend this school. The Professors that I've had were really great and easy to contact. The dash board is easy to use and customer service is always pleasant and helpful.

Review Date: 11/18/2017

Attended: Ashworth College

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 4/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

La Harper, Graduated 2018

Robin, Graduated 2017

Attended: Independence University

Let me start off with the positives.I enrolled at IU over the summer. I was so excited finally found a online school that was accredited in Respiratory Therapy. The teacher were hands on if I had questions it was answered right away. Grades was posted in a timely manner. Class work load was a lot but you have to manage time effectively. After going to the school for 2 mods I got a email stating I was going to be dropped from the program as a FALSE START due to financial Aid. It also stated that I... Read More

Review Date: 10/26/2015

Attended: Independence University

Overall Rating: 1/5

Experience Rating: 1/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Robin, Graduated 2017

Anonymous, Graduated 2017

Attended: Bryant & Stratton College Online

This is a good school to attend but some of the instructors are rude and don't care about the students. You have some Instructors that will help you to pass and some that won't even give you a chance. I have been attending this school going on 2 years heading into my last semester and this is the worse experience I've had with an instructor! Some of the course work is difficult sand being that we don't have enough time to learn the instructor should understand and at least give you credit! I understand... Read More

Review Date: 8/10/2017

Attended: Bryant & Stratton College Online

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 3/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Anonymous, Graduated 2017

Jon Hackett, Graduated 2016

Attended: American Business and Technology University

I started out going to school online thinking that it was going to be terribly difficult. I did not think it was something I could do. Then I started the actual courses. The instructors were live, they were very quick on response times, and they knew there stuff. They along with the retention staff, registrars office, and technical support went above and beyond when I ever needed anything.

Review Date: 10/6/2015

Attended: American Business and Technology University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Jon Hackett, Graduated 2016

Daryl Drake, Graduated 2016

Attended: DeVry University

I finish my Associates this session and start my Multi Media Web Development Bachelors degree right after. The coaches and financial services are top notch they know how to keep you going so you can succeed in your studies and degree. I had two hospital stays for foot surgeries. My Coaches and Professors modified my schedule so I could get caught up. Failure is not an option. In the beginning I was out of school for a long while, the resources that DeVry uses online got me up to speed in the first... Read More

Review Date: 3/2/2016

Attended: DeVry University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Daryl Drake, Graduated 2016

Gianna, Graduated 2015

Attended: Central Texas College

The teachers have horrible response time to questions, making it very hard to finish assignments and exams. This is my third semester and they aren't offering any courses for my degree plan that I need. It has been challenging.

Review Date: 7/21/2014

Attended: Central Texas College

Overall Rating: 3/5

Experience Rating: 3/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Gianna, Graduated 2015

Edn1221, Graduated 2014

Attended: Georgia State University - Perimeter College

This school is a joke. The teachers do not care about you, do not check up on you, and don't grade your work on time. The office is impossible to talk to. They have an answering system of students. It is impossible to talk with a finical adviser unless you leave a message. Then they might or might not call you back later in the week. If you miss that call, you have to start the process all over. I didn't have a single semester where the office had my financial aid on time. They lost my paperwork... Read More

Review Date: 12/18/2014

Attended: Georgia State University - Perimeter College

Overall Rating: 2/5

Experience Rating: 1/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Edn1221, Graduated 2014

John Williams, Graduated 2013

Attended: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division

I started at AIPOD in 2011 after getting my loans out of default from The Art Institute of Atlanta where I started in the 90’s studying Visual Communication. I graduated with honors receiving an Associate of Science in Graphic Design degree in 2013. I had a wonderful experience with this school. The online environment was definitely challenging while working full time. Instructors were always helpful! The debt was another story, but as the school is now closed loan forgiveness is looking promising.... Read More

Review Date: 10/4/2020

Attended: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

John Williams, Graduated 2013

Lost One, Graduated 2009

Attended: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division

Started classes mid 2007 but dropped out mid 2009 with OVER 60 credit hours completed and a 3.5+ GPA. I was almost done but they wanted me to take out another personal loan. I could not. No degree and I still owe more on all those loans than the mortgage on my house. The classes were hit and miss, while some had excellent teachers and I learned a lot. One class I took the professor never showed up, I still did the course work and it eventually was graded. With that class and a few others the learning... Read More

Review Date: 3/6/2017

Attended: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division

Overall Rating: 2/5

Experience Rating: 2/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Lost One, Graduated 2009

Lifelong Learner, Graduated 2006

Attended: Ashworth College

I believe the school means well to some level. However, I am not so sure about student services aka administration. They have a similar education and advertisement platform as Penn Foster College. I was transferring credits to this school and they will not do an evaluation of what credits will transfer. You have to enrolled first and then you will know. Be very vigilant about this practice (Penn Foster does the same thing). Anyway, I enrolled and finish the first semester with no issue, but I decided... Read More

Review Date: 9/9/2016

Attended: Ashworth College

Overall Rating: 3/5

Experience Rating: 4/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Lifelong Learner, Graduated 2006

Student, Graduated 2024

Attended: Spokane Falls Community College

Bad school. Professors are great and knowledgeable but everything else sucks. Campus Security is about the worst security around- unprofessional students and those who failed police academy. I regret going here. Don't get me wrong, the teacher's are great but I hate coming here.

Review Date: 3/14/2024

Attended: Spokane Falls Community College

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Experience Rating: 2/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Student, Graduated 2024

MMI PH9ENIX, Graduated 2022

Attended: Motorcycle Mechanics Institute

After retiring from the Army and crashing my bike and no longer being able to be a law enforcement officer, while healing, I decided to go to MMI so I can learn to fix my bike. The instructors are great (99% are outstanding...some rely on the "did you watch the video" learning method) CHS (student housing) is crap and would not use them if I had to do over...no accommodations for disabled (I am a disabled vet and asked to be with other vets on a ground floor apt...they put my on a 3rd floor apt)... Read More

Review Date: 11/30/2021

Attended: Motorcycle Mechanics Institute

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 4/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

MMI PH9ENIX, Graduated 2022

ItsDyl99, Graduated 2021

Attended: Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

My review of ECTC is that it was overall an outstanding and affordable experience to earn my associate degree. I was able to complete classes in my desired format and often at my own pace. The overall cost of attending was affordable and worthwhile overall.

Review Date: 8/8/2025

Attended: Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

ItsDyl99, Graduated 2021

Makenzie O., Graduated 2018

Attended: Keiser University

Keiser University is a great college to study at. The professors are absolutely wonderful. They are very knowledgeable and understanding. They go out of their way for the students to succeed. Diagnostic Medical Sonography is not a program for someone who just wants to go to school and then forget about school when they get home. You have to study, and practice every single day or else you will never be able to pass. Its your money and your time, I wouldn't waste it.

Review Date: 8/3/2016

Attended: Keiser University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Makenzie O., Graduated 2018

Richard Martin, Graduated 2017

Attended: Keiser University

I have read many of these poor comments. Let me first say this: whatever you put into your education is what you will get out of it. I transferred credits from three colleges, they were all accepted. I first pursued my Associates in PhysicalTherapy Assistant, to learn in the process I did not have what it takes to finish my Anatomy and Physiology classes. I went to drop out and as they say in orientation, if you need a cheerleader we are here, we are here for you and your success is out success!... Read More

Review Date: 11/12/2017

Attended: Keiser University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Richard Martin, Graduated 2017

Want an online degree that's:

  • Affordable
  • Popular
  • Highly Rated
  • Military-friendly

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