Most Affordable Online Associate Degrees in New Mexico 2025

Getting an associate degree can be a great way to start your education or career affordably. But if you live in New Mexico and you're worried about the cost of a degree, you may be wondering: are there any schools in your state that offer affordable associates degrees online?

If this sounds like you, keep reading. Below, we'll explore which schools offer the cheapest online associate degrees in New Mexico. We'll also explore some good out-of-state options and answer some questions you may have.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in New Mexico?

The cost of a college degree can vary. There are many affordable online colleges that keep their tuition rates low, especially for in-state students.

Among the New Mexico schools featured below, tuition costs range from just $40 to $69 per credit hour, making it possible to earn a 60-credit associate degree for $2,400 to $4,140 in total tuition. The out-of-state schools are more expensive, with tuition ranging from $92 to $160 per credit hour or $5,520 to $9,600 in total tuition costs.

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

If you're ready to begin an affordable online program, let's explore the top colleges in New Mexico offering the cheapest higher education opportunities for distance learners.

1. New Mexico Junior College

New Mexico Junior College is located near Hobbs. It offers some of the cheapest online associate degrees in New Mexico, with areas of study including:

• criminal justice
• energy technology
• business
• computer information systems

Students in these programs pay highly affordable tuition, with block rates available for full-time learners taking more than 15 credit hours per semester.

Average in-state tuition: $40 to $60 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $75 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Federal and state aid, scholarships, loans

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Clovis Community College

Clovis Community College is a public school providing various online degrees and certificate programs. Some of the program concentrations include:

• liberal arts
• information technology
• business administration
• legal assistant
• office technology

Students can complete an online class orientation to help them prepare for success in a nontraditional setting. Those enrolled in 12 to 18 credit hours pay a highly affordable block tuition rate.

Average in-state tuition: $48 to $59 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $121 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: State grants and scholarships, federal aid, institutional scholarships

Accreditation: HLC

3. Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe Community College is a public school offering over 100 certificate and degree programs. Many of these are available online, including:

• accounting
• human resources
• creative writing
• nutrition
• early childhood education

Online courses are highly flexible and offer opportunities for students to fit their education around their lives. Students pay a block tuition rate each semester for 12 to 18 credit hours.

Average in-state tuition: $49 to $61 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $61 to $144 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Federal aid, state aid, scholarships

Accreditation: HLC

4. Luna Community College

Luna Community College is a public school in Las Vegas, NM. It offers primarily in-person degree programs, but students can complete an Associate of Applied Science in business administration in a 100% online format.

Additionally, the school offers many of its courses online, making it possible for students to complete most other programs in a hybrid format. Affordable tuition features a block rate for full-time learners.

Average in-state tuition: $51 to $69 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $51 to $132 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA grants, state aid, institutional scholarships, loans

Accreditation: HLC

5. San Juan College

San Juan College is located in Farmington, NM. This public school provides several online certificate and degree programs, such as:

• occupational safety
• marketing
• veterinary technology
• psychology
• health information technology

Affordable, flexible courses are ideal for working adults or other nontraditional students looking to take control of their education.

Average in-state tuition: $61 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $195 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: State grants and scholarships, institutional scholarships, federal aid

Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Associate Degrees in the U.S.

Many other schools throughout the U.S. also offer affordable online associate degrees. If you can't find what you're looking for at an in-state school, you could consider the programs at any of these affordable colleges:

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

This school is located in De Queen, AR, and it's affiliated with the University of Arkansas System. Students can earn associate degrees in several specializations, including:

• general studies
• general business
• psychology
• criminal justice
• Associate of Arts

High-quality courses feature the same academic standards as those taught on campus � a convenient option for those who live far from school unable to attend in person.

Average in-state tuition: $74 to $87 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $92 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Federal grants and loans, scholarships

Accreditation: HLC

Allen Community College

Allen Community College is located in Kansas. It is a highly affordable out-of-state school providing various online learning opportunities.

While it's unclear exactly which degree programs are available online, the school does offer several fully online programs. More than 100 individual courses are available online, providing plenty of options for those who want control over their education.

Average in-state tuition: $75 to $85 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $95 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Federal aid, institutional scholarships, loans

Accreditation: HLC

University of Arkansas Community College Batesville

The University of Arkansas Community College Batesville is another affordable school in Arkansas. Many of its degrees and certificates are available online, including:

• agriculture business
• crime scene investigation
• elementary education
• general technology
• health professions

Out-of-state learners pay affordable tuition rates and have the flexibility to complete their education from wherever they have an internet connection.

Average in-state tuition: $87 to $103 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $127 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Federal and state grants, scholarships, student loans

Accreditation: HLC

Northeast Community College

Northeast Community College is a public school in Nebraska. Students can choose from a wealth of online degree programs, including:

• human services
• social work
• accounting
• early childhood education
• general studies

Courses are affordable, flexible, and convenient, and various student support services are in place to help students succeed.

Average in-state tuition: $108 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $151 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Scholarships, FAFSA aid, loans

Accreditation: HLC

Barton Community College

Barton Community College is located in Great Bend, KS. It offers many convenient and affordable associate degrees online, including:

• computer science
• political science
• biology
• English
• medical administrative technology

The school has been providing online courses for more than 25 years, making it a leader among community colleges in online education. Flexible courses help students fit them into their busy lives.

Average in-state tuition: $160 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $160 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Institutional scholarships, federal grants, student loans

Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

We strive to provide quality educational options through our school rank lists. We chose the colleges in this article based on the following selection criteria:

• Accreditation: Each school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a nationally recognized accrediting body.
• Affordability: Each school is highly affordable, with average total tuition costs for associate degrees ranging from $2,400 to $9,600.
• Program reputation and quality: Each school is known for offering high-quality on-campus and online learning opportunities.
• Online format: Each school offers several online programs at various levels, including associate degrees.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in New Mexico

If you still have questions about earning an affordable associate degree through distance learning, keep reading. Below, we'll answer some frequently asked questions you might be wondering about.

What Is the Easiest Associate Degree To Get Online in New Mexico?

Though there is no such thing as an ''easy'' college degree, many online students consider the Associate of Arts to be one of the easiest options because it consists of introductory general education coursework. That said, other students may prefer more technical Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degrees; it all depends on each student's specific strengths and weaknesses.

Are There Any Free Degrees in New Mexico?

Many students in New Mexico can attend college for free thanks to financial aid programs like the Opportunity Scholarship and New Mexico Lottery Scholarship. Even those who don't qualify for these programs can attend the cheapest online colleges that accept FAFSA to take advantage of any federal aid programs they may qualify for. Thanks to low tuition rates and generous financial aid opportunities, many students in Mexico can obtain their college degrees at no cost to them.

What Is the Least Expensive Degree To Get in New Mexico?

Associate degrees are the most affordable degrees in New Mexico, thanks to lower per-credit-hour tuition rates. Bachelor's degrees typically cost between $200 and $400 per credit hour, and online master's degrees can cost even more. Most associate degrees, however, can be obtained for well under $100 per credit hour.

What Is the Quickest Associate Degree To Get?

Some U.S. schools offer 6-month online associate degrees; however, these are rare and may require prerequisites or students who already have some transfer credits.

Generally speaking, the quickest way to get an associate degree is to take dual enrollment courses in high school. Once you have graduated with your diploma, you can apply these credits toward your associate degree program, potentially earning your degree in a matter of months instead of two years.

Find Online Degrees

If you're ready to start taking online courses toward an affordable associate degree, explore the schools featured here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to find out more about their programs and to choose the right one for you.