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New Mexico State University-Dona Ana vs Santa Fe Community College

CERT programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.

Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

At a glance

Lower tuition
Santa Fe Community College
$2,145 vs $2,322

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.
Santa Fe Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.
Program typeCERTCERT
Formatin personin person
LocationLas Cruces, NMSanta Fe, NM
Length12 months12 months
NCLEX pass rate
Acceptance rate
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$2,322 in / $6,360 out$2,145 in / $4,995 outBEST
In-state tuition$2,322$2,145BEST
Out-of-state tuition$6,360$4,995BEST
Clinical placement
AccreditationSCORECARD_BASELINESCORECARD_BASELINE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, New Mexico State University-Dona Ana or Santa Fe Community College?

Santa Fe Community College is the more affordable option at roughly $2,145, compared to $2,322. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are New Mexico State University-Dona Ana and Santa Fe Community College the same type of program?

Both are CERT programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.

How do I decide between New Mexico State University-Dona Ana and Santa Fe Community College?

Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.

Want a personalized fit score?

Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.