Northern New Mexico College is 12.8 miles from Velarde
No college sits inside Velarde’s boundary, but Northern New Mexico College’s campus in Espanola, with 860 students on campus, is 12.8 miles from the center of town, and University of New Mexico-Taos Campus is 21.5 miles away in Ranchos de Taos. About 0% of Velarde’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as 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 Velarde. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Velarde
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Velarde
It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Velarde.
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. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $75–110k, where Velarde’s median household income ($97,776) 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 within 15 miles of Velarde: 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.
Questions about college near Velarde
Is Velarde a college town?
No. About 0 of every 100 Velarde residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as New Mexico (6). The nearest campus, Northern New Mexico College, is 12.8 miles away in Espanola.
What colleges are near Velarde?
Within 15 miles: Northern New Mexico College (12.8 miles, 860 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Velarde, and what does it cost?
University of New Mexico-Taos Campus in Ranchos de Taos, 21.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,136 a year for New Mexico residents; the federal net price, $9,165, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Northern New Mexico College cost if we live in New Mexico?
Tuition and fees are $6,400 a year in-state and $14,328 from out of state.
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 Velarde. 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 →