2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in New Mexico

1

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

For return on investment in elementary education, no school beat Central New Mexico Community College this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $29,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at San Juan College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $25,150 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $44,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus
Roswell, NM

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.

4

Northern New Mexico College
Espanola, NM

Northern New Mexico College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, while out-of-state students pay about $14,328. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,112.

5

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,896. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.

6

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,705 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,705 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

7

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,425. Elementary Education graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Community College landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,185 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $43,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,185 median debt.

9

New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM

New Mexico Highlands University came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,416, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $36,217. That is a strong return on a $21,812 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of The Southwest
Hobbs, NM

University Of The Southwest placed #11 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,670. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,312 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,282. Set against $24,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.