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New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
Las Cruces, New Mexico · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 2800 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd., Las Cruces, NM 88011 · Phone: (575) 528-7000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is a public trade school in Las Cruces, NM offering EMT & paramedic training, radiology & sonography programs, and HVAC schools, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 19.4% completion rate versus a 42.9% state average, with median graduate debt of $17,095 and median earnings of $39,067 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for New Mexico State University-Dona Ana; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and 35.4% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical technicians | $32,370 | $37,550 | $47,600 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $59,560 | $79,940 | $93,250 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,380 | $50,270 | $62,900 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $38,090 | $59,330 | $73,090 |
| Medical records specialists | $36,600 | $57,470 | $66,240 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $36,860 | $59,840 | $82,550 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $30,390 | $47,300 | $63,050 |
| Medical assistants | $34,600 | $39,230 | $45,970 |
| Dental hygienists | $82,180 | $95,940 | $99,960 |
| Construction laborers | $30,840 | $38,400 | $46,300 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $43,370 | $62,250 | $83,260 |
| Dental assistants | $37,060 | $44,400 | $47,160 |
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $46,640 | $76,470 | $96,000 |
| Electricians | $36,650 | $58,390 | $73,380 |
| Nursing assistants | $34,110 | $39,390 | $45,410 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in New Mexico (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 62 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 27 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 23 | $42,177 | $45,696 | $9,000 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 15 | $25,682 | $18,087 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 11 | $28,002 | $24,730 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $32,905 | $44,170 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | $33,993 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 8 | $42,177 | $45,696 | $9,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | $14,442 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 4 | $42,177 | $45,696 | $9,000 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is a public trade and career-training campus located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. Among its 25 program families, the campus awards the most completions in EMT & paramedic training (82), radiology & sonography programs (39), and HVAC schools (27).
Federal data shows a completion rate of 19.4%, which is below the state average of 42.9%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $17,095, and median earnings 10 years after entry were reported at $39,067. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 35.4% of students received Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of low-income enrollment. Undergraduate enrollment stands at 5,177 students, with 291 trade program completers recorded.
This campus, set in a midsize city, offers a broad mix of short-term certificate programs (such as EMT training) alongside longer technical tracks like radiology and HVAC, which may suit both quick career-entry seekers and those pursuing more technical credentials. Program length details are not reported here, so prospective students should confirm specifics directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and outcome data yourself, consult the Higher Learning Commission and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
The campus offers 25 program families, with the most completions in EMT & paramedic training (82), radiology & sonography programs (39), and HVAC schools (27). Other program families include welding, electrician, lineman, dental hygiene, and culinary schools among others.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including federal loans and Pell Grants. About 35.4% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 19.4%, which is below the state average of 42.9%, per federal Scorecard data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates who borrowed is $17,095, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $39,067, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (575) 528-7000 or visit https://dacc.nmsu.edu/ for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-supported funding, though specific tuition figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length details are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly to confirm program duration for specific tracks like EMT training or HVAC.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and review official outcome data via the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?187620.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The mix of shorter programs like EMT training alongside longer technical programs like radiology suggests options for varying schedules, but specific adult-learner accommodations are not reported in this data; confirm directly with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school at (575) 528-7000 to ask about certification or licensure tied to specific programs such as EMT or radiology.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach the school by phone at (575) 528-7000 or visit their website at https://dacc.nmsu.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported here; you can use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?187620 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Las Cruces, NM
- Olympian Academy of CosmetologyLas Cruces, NM · career school
- Glitz School of CosmetologyLas Cruces, NM · 69% completion
- Capstone Construction SchoolLas Cruces, NM
- Dona Ana Community College Truck Driving AcademyLas Cruces, NM
- Western New Mexico UniversitySilver City, NM · university
- Doña Ana Community College Truck Driving AcademySunland Park, NM
- Gabriel SanchezDeming, NM
- Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque, NM · 31% completion
See all trade and career schools in New Mexico or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.