2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New Mexico
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New Mexico
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, 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. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $31,097 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Military Institute came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. New Mexico Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Roswell. Students from in state pay about $7,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,156. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New Mexico Military Institute earn a median of $10,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
A rank of #4 makes Clovis Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $18,362. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes San Juan College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,402. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $17,969. Set against $6,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,372, compared with $3,268 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,110. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,497 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern New Mexico College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Northern New Mexico College is a small public school located in the town of Espanola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,112 ten years after entry.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $16,706 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $32,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Carlsbad came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. New Mexico State University Carlsbad is a small public school located in the rural area of Carlsbad. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,176, while out-of-state students pay about $4,008. Students borrow a median of $10,497 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Carlsbad earn a median of $27,868 early in their careers.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $22,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Alamogordo earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alamogordo, New Mexico State University Alamogordo is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $6,072. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Alamogordo generally make around $27,868. Set against $10,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,577. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $29,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,577 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
New Mexico Junior College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hobbs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,440, compared with $2,280 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New Mexico Junior College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western New Mexico University placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
New Mexico State University Grants landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. New Mexico State University Grants is a small public school located in the town of Grants. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,272 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,497 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Grants earn a median of $27,868 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Los Lunas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,878, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus generally make around $22,417. Set against $10,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus is a small public school located in the town of Los Alamos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,214, compared with $5,578 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,084 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,417. That is a strong return on a $10,084 median debt.
Mesalands Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Mesalands Community College is a small public school located in the town of Tucumcari. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,408. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mesalands Community College generally make around $35,517.
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos, University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,136. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Taos Campus generally make around $22,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Highlands University came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,416, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from New Mexico Highlands University generally make around $26,461. Set against $28,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $16,605 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $26,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Southwest ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,670. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of The Southwest generally make around $45,907. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt.
St Johns College New Mexico placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, St Johns College New Mexico is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,514. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of St Johns College New Mexico earn a median of $23,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. St Johns College New Mexico admits about 53% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
