Best Trade Schools in New Mexico (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New Mexico’s economy relies on skilled workers in energy, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. Trade schools provide the hands-on training needed to enter these fields quickly, often in less than two years. Whether you’re in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, or rural communities, there are accredited programs available statewide.

Many New Mexico trade schools work closely with local employers, unions, and apprenticeship programs to connect graduates with opportunities after completion; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market.

Best Trade Schools in New Mexico

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools, ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#2

Aveda Institute-New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM In-state option BOC Score 68.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 87.9%
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 96
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $28,175 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Paul Mitchell the School-Albuquerque

Albuquerque, NM In-state option BOC Score 59.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 77.6%
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 86
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $31,032 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus

Roswell, NM In-state option BOC Score 54.6
Tuition $2,256 in-state / $5,616 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 31.7%
  • Programs offered: 33
  • Annual completions: 441
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,827 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque

Albuquerque, NM In-state option BOC Score 53.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 67.7%
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 338
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,890 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Vogue College of Cosmetology-Santa Fe

Santa Fe, NM In-state option BOC Score 53.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 75.4%
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 42
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $29,372 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

San Juan College

Farmington, NM In-state option BOC Score 53.0
Tuition $1,928 in-state / $5,412 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 37.0%
  • Programs offered: 35
  • Annual completions: 923
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $46,786 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

New Mexico State University-Grants

Grants, NM In-state option BOC Score 52.6
Tuition $2,136 in-state / $4,272 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 26.2%
  • Programs offered: 20
  • Annual completions: 51
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,874 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

Albuquerque, NM In-state option BOC Score 52.4
Tuition $1,095
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 14.0%
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 18
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $34,652 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Trade Schools by City in New Mexico

Compare accredited trade schools in 22 New Mexico cities. Each city page lists the closest local schools with tuition, median graduate earnings, and the trades hiring nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in New Mexico?

Central New Mexico Community College is a leading choice for HVAC, welding, nursing, and IT. DACC and SFCC also offer strong programs in renewable energy and skilled trades.

Are New Mexico community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. Schools like CNM, DACC, and SFCC provide accredited, career-focused programs that operate much like trade schools.

What trades are in demand in New Mexico in 2025?

HVAC techs, electricians, welders, nurses, renewable energy technicians, and automotive techs are in steady demand.

New Mexico’s trade schools provide hands-on education, industry-recognized credentials, and direct employer connections, making them a smart choice for launching a skilled career.

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)