Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Cost is resident tuition plus required fees, 2023-24.
Associate Degrees in New Mexico
17
Meet the Ranking Threshold
12
Median Resident Tuition and Fees
$2,376
With a Fully Online Option
7
General Studies Associate Degrees in New Mexico
New Mexico's ranked general studies associate degrees are 12 public programs that run from the first-ranked associate degree in the country to one that graduates 14% of its students, and the price barely moves between them. Eleven of the 12 charge between $1,736 and $3,000 a year in resident tuition and fees. Five more programs sit below the threshold with 1 to 9 degrees each.
New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs scores 90.4 on its Associate of Arts General Studies, first in the national associate ranking, with a 58% graduation rate, 185 degrees a year, $1,920 in tuition and fees and an online option. Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque is second at 69.3 on sheer size: 642 degrees in the latest year, the largest program in the state, at $1,934 with a 31% graduation rate. Clovis Community College scores 67.7 with the lowest cost on the ranked list, $1,736, a 34% graduation rate and an online Associate of General Studies.
New Mexico State University's Dona Ana campus in Las Cruces awards 421 degrees but graduates 19%, Western New Mexico University in Silver City charges the most of the 12 at $7,868 and graduates 32%, and the Alamogordo campus graduates 14% on 17 degrees. So tuition and fees across the ranked programs run from $1,736 at Clovis to $7,868 at Western New Mexico, graduation rates from 14% at Alamogordo to 58% at New Mexico Junior College, and six of the 12 can be finished online.
The 12 Best General Studies Associate Degrees in New Mexico
The best general studies associate degrees in New Mexico are ranked below by their national score, from the national associate degree ranking. The number on each card is the program's place in New Mexico. Each needed at least 10 graduates in the latest year to be ranked.
1
New Mexico Junior College
Associate of Arts General Studies
New Mexico
90.4- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 58%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $1,920 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 185
About the Program
Think of this as a degree built for moving on, because the college describes the Associate of Arts as a university parallel or transfer degree. The 60 credit hours usually fit majors outside science, math and engineering, which the Associate of Science serves. So if your intended major sits in one of those areas, look at the Associate of Science before you settle on this plan.
Credit moves in both directions here. Coming in, at least 15 semester hours have to be earned at NMJC and the rest may be transfer credit, so part of the 60 can arrive with you. Going out, the general education requirements you complete as a rule meet the lower-division general education requirements of all public bachelor's-granting colleges and universities in New Mexico, which is the part that carries your work forward.
Developmental courses don't count toward the degree, so if you take transitional classes, those hours sit on top of the 60. You also need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to graduate. Meet with an academic advisor or counselor before you make degree plans, which is what the college tells you to do.
2
Central New Mexico Community College
New Mexico
69.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 31%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $1,934 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 642
About the Program
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College is a public community college with 19,342 students on its rolls. Some 642 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 92% of the programs ranked alongside it. Of the students who start at Central New Mexico Community College, 31% graduate, and that beats 37 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $1,934 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $8,366. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 98th percentile.
3
Clovis Community College
Associate of General Studies
New Mexico
67.7- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 34%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $1,736 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 120
About the Program
Online study covers the whole Associate of General Studies, since the college says the degree is available completely online. The degree takes 60 credits in total. You build your course of study around your interests by selecting a variety of courses in one or more areas, so you can keep your courses in a single area or spread them across several.
Composition and communication courses appear by name in the degree's course sequence. The first English composition course is worth 3 credits, and for another 3 credits you pick one of two courses, public speaking or interpersonal communication. That sequence also has a third semester labeled summer, so the plan the college lays out includes summer study.
Experience outside a classroom figures in how the college describes this degree's students, because it speaks of people who have gained significant learning through their life or work experience. A second group gets a mention too. If you have a GED, the college says students who have a GED can satisfy military entrance requirements.
Credits from more than one place can be brought together, because the college says students with credits from multiple institutions in multiple disciplines can consolidate them. Military credits have a place too. According to the college, military students can use CCAF and other military credits as electives. Courses accepted through testing options can also count toward the degree, as noted in the college's course catalog.
4
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus
New Mexico
55.1- Public
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,424 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 42
About the Program
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus is a public community college in Roswell, New Mexico that enrolls 2,082 students. It conferred 42 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 33% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus, 32% graduate, and that beats 41 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Expect tuition and fees of $2,424 a year as a resident and $5,616 otherwise. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 94th percentile.
5
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
New Mexico
53.2- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 19%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,718 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 421
About the Program
Based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is a public community college with 7,200 students on its rolls. During the most recent year on record it awarded 421 associate's degrees, a count at the 88th percentile for size. Its college-wide graduation rate is 19%, the 7th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Residents pay $2,718 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $6,360. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. On price it does best, reaching the 94th percentile.
6
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College
New Mexico
48.6- Public
- College graduation rate
- 29%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $1,804 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 26
About the Program
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College is a public community college in Ruidoso, New Mexico that enrolls 773 students. It conferred 26 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 23% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 29%, the 29th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees are $1,804 a year for residents and $2,644 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 99% of programs at this level. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 99th percentile.
7
University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus
New Mexico
45.2- Public
- College graduation rate
- 20%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,415 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 82
About the Program
Some 1,687 students attend University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus, a public community college in Gallup, New Mexico. The program's last federal report shows 82 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 52 in every 100 programs measured here. A 20% graduation rate puts the college at the 9th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees run $2,415 a year in state against $4,612 out of state, so on price it sits at the 94th percentile. Its strongest mark is price, at the 94th percentile.
8
New Mexico State University-Grants
New Mexico
42.3- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 26%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,376 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 22
About the Program
Grants, New Mexico is home to New Mexico State University-Grants, a public community college of 754 students. The program's last federal report shows 22 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 18 in every 100 programs measured here. Its college-wide graduation rate is 26%, the 21st percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees are $2,376 a year for residents and $4,272 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 95% of programs at this level. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 95th percentile.
9
Southeast New Mexico College
New Mexico
41.4- Public
- College graduation rate
- 20%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $1,968 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 41
About the Program
Based in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Southeast New Mexico College is a public community college with 1,431 students on its rolls. Some 41 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 32% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 20% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 9% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees are $1,968 a year for residents and $4,008 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 98% of programs at this level. Its strongest mark is price, at the 98th percentile.
10
Western New Mexico University
New Mexico
41.2- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $7,868 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 84
About the Program
Some 3,531 students attend Western New Mexico University, a public university in Silver City, New Mexico. It conferred 84 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 53% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Western New Mexico University, 32% graduate, and that beats 41 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees are $7,868 a year for residents and $14,354 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 31% of programs at this level. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 53rd percentile.
11
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus
New Mexico
36.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 23%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,214 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 10
About the Program
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus is a public community college in Los Alamos, New Mexico that enrolls 349 students. Some 10 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 2% of the programs ranked alongside it. Its college-wide graduation rate is 23%, the 15th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Residents pay $2,214 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $5,578. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 98th percentile.
12
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo
New Mexico
31.6- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 14%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $3,000 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 17
About the Program
Alamogordo, New Mexico is home to New Mexico State University-Alamogordo, a public community college of 1,152 students. It conferred 17 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 12% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 14%, the 2nd percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees are $3,000 a year for residents and $6,072 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 92% of programs at this level. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 92nd percentile.
Other General Studies Associate Degrees in New Mexico
The other general studies associate degrees in New Mexico awarded fewer than 10 degrees in the latest year or did not report a figure the ranking uses, so they are listed here without a score. That says something about size and nothing on its own about quality.
| College | Degrees Awarded | Graduation Rate | Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe | 9 | 23% | $2,505 |
| Navajo Technical University, Crownpoint | 8 | 12% | $2,450 |
| University of New Mexico-Taos Campus, Ranchos de Taos | 3 | 30% | $2,004 |
| Luna Community College, Las Vegas | 2 | 28% | $1,634 |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro | 1 | 57% | $9,058 |
Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Graduation rate is the college's, for first-time, full-time students.
How Much Does a General Studies Associate Degree Cost in New Mexico?
A general studies associate degree in New Mexico costs a median of $2,376 a year in resident tuition and required fees for 2023-24 across the 17 programs, and 15 of the 17 charge $3,000 or less. The ranked list runs from $1,736 at Clovis Community College to $7,868 at Western New Mexico University in Silver City, the one ranked program priced like a university, and New Mexico Tech in Socorro, below the threshold, lists $9,058. Non-resident rates vary far more: Central New Mexico charges non-residents $8,366 against $1,934 for residents.
Every one of the 17 is public, so every one is covered by the Opportunity Scholarship. It covers tuition and course-specific fees for eligible New Mexico residents who attend any public college or university in the state part time or full time, and you must enroll in at least six credit hours but not more than 18 credit hours. Adults qualify as returning students when enrolling in college more than 16 months after graduating from high school, attaining a high school equivalency credential, or receiving a home school certificate. So for an eligible resident, tuition at any of these colleges can come to nothing.
Will a General Studies Associate Degree Transfer in New Mexico?
A general studies associate degree transfers in New Mexico to any public college or university in the state with its general education intact, under a rule that is unusually blunt. Since July 2021, all general education courses completed by students at state public colleges and universities will now satisfy general education requirements at any other New Mexico public institution to which a student transfers. Rule 5.55.6 NMAC, in effect since June 12, 2018, says each institution shall adopt the following 31 credit hour statewide general education curriculum for all bachelor's degrees and all associate's degrees, other than associate's of applied science.
The 31 hours are at least 22 credit hours of courses in the following six content areas, communications, mathematics, science, social and behavioral science, humanities, and creative and fine arts, plus nine credits each college picks, which can come from other content areas such as foreign languages, interdisciplinary studies, business, engineering, information technology or any other content area that the institution deems appropriate. When you finish, a notation shall be made on the student's transcript that shows that the student has completed the general education curriculum.
Courses outside general education move under the state's Common Course Numbering System, a matrix of first and second-year courses with common numbering designed to ease the transfer process beyond general education requirements.
What Do Jobs With a General Studies Associate Degree Pay in New Mexico?
Jobs open to a general studies associate degree in New Mexico pay the state medians below, from the May 2025 federal wage survey, with the national median beside each for comparison. Each row links to the salary guide for that job.
How to Choose a General Studies Associate Degree Program in New Mexico
How to choose a general studies associate degree program in New Mexico is a question of graduation rate first and campus second, since every ranked program but Western New Mexico charges $3,000 or less and the Opportunity Scholarship can cover tuition at the public colleges. New Mexico Junior College graduates 58%, Clovis 34%, the Roswell campus and Western New Mexico 32%, Central New Mexico 31%, Ruidoso 29%, and from there the rates drop to 26% at Grants, 23% at Los Alamos, 20% at Gallup and Carlsbad, 19% at Dona Ana and 14% at Alamogordo.
Six ranked programs run online: New Mexico Junior College, Clovis, Dona Ana, Western New Mexico, Grants and Alamogordo. If you plan to continue to a bachelor's, confirm the degree carries the 31 credit hour statewide general education curriculum that state rule requires in every associate degree except the associate of applied science, and ask when the completion notation goes on your transcript. New Mexico Junior College's degree is an Associate of Arts and Clovis's an Associate of General Studies, so ask each college which award it confers and how Eastern New Mexico University or another public university treats it.
If you plan to finish a bachelor's in the state, the general studies bachelor's degrees in New Mexico have their own page.