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Colleges in and near Carlsbad

Carlsbad is home to Southeast New Mexico College

Southeast New Mexico College (883 students on campus) is inside the city. About 3% of Carlsbad’s residents are enrolled in college, below New Mexico (6%).

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Carlsbad. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
883 students on campus
Nearest college
3.2 mi
Southeast New Mexico College
Residents in college
3%
Below NM (6%)
Nearest community college
3.2 mi
Southeast New Mexico College · $1,176 tuition
Nearest public university
146.8 mi
New Mexico State · $8,183 in-state
Median household income
$72K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Carlsbad

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A community college in CarlsbadSoutheast New Mexico College has 883 students on campus in Carlsbad, 20% of whom graduate within three years.In-state price at New Mexico StateLiving in New Mexico, New Mexico State University charges $8,183 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $25,307. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 3% of residentsBelow New Mexico (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Carlsbad

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Carlsbad.

5 mi10 mi15 miSoutheast New Mexico CollegeCarlsbad
University or collegeCommunity college
Southeast New Mexico CollegeCommunity college · Public · 883 on campus · In Carlsbad$6knet price20%graduateTuition and fees: $1,176 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Carlsbad’s median household income ($72,306) falls.

Southeast New Mexico CollegeIn Carlsbad · sticker $13,604 · tuition $1,176$6,176a year
New Mexico State University146.8 mi · Las Cruces · sticker $23,274$9,861a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →New Mexico State
New Mexico State University55% graduate$39k earnings*$17k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: New Mexico State (4).

Majors

What students study in Carlsbad

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Southeast New Mexico College, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 34%Liberal arts 22%Business 15%Education 5%Public safety 5%Mechanics & repair 5%Everything else 14%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities39 graduates a year
$33k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Carlsbad

Is Carlsbad a college town?

No. About 3 of every 100 Carlsbad residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below New Mexico (6). The largest campus in the city, Southeast New Mexico College, has 883 students on campus.

What colleges are in Carlsbad?

Southeast New Mexico College is inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Carlsbad, and what does it cost?

Southeast New Mexico College in Carlsbad, 3.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,176 a year for New Mexico residents; the federal net price, $5,734, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does New Mexico State University cost if we live in New Mexico?

Tuition and fees are $8,183 a year in-state and $25,307 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,648 (under $30,000 income) to $14,049 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Carlsbad. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →