Southeast New Mexico College is 1.8 miles from Happy Valley
No college sits inside Happy Valley’s boundary, but Southeast New Mexico College’s campus in Carlsbad, with 883 students on campus, is 1.8 miles from the center of town. About 0% of Happy Valley’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 Happy Valley. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Happy Valley
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Happy Valley
It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Happy Valley.
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 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.
Starts at $48–75k, where Happy Valley’s median household income ($62,215) falls.
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.
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.
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).
Questions about college near Happy Valley
Is Happy Valley a college town?
No. About 0 of every 100 Happy Valley residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below New Mexico (6). The nearest campus, Southeast New Mexico College, is 1.8 miles away in Carlsbad.
What colleges are near Happy Valley?
Within 15 miles: Southeast New Mexico College (1.8 miles, 883 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Happy Valley, and what does it cost?
Southeast New Mexico College in Carlsbad, 1.8 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.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
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 Happy Valley. 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 →