Best Trade Schools in Portales, New Mexico (2026)

Updated June 20, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Start here to compare accredited trade schools near Portales. This guide links to programs, state licensing steps, and related career paths so you can get job-ready quickly in New Mexico.

How to Get Started in Portales

  • Compare schools and program lengths above
  • Check your state licensing steps: New Mexico
  • Explore careers: Skilled trades hub
  • Ask each school about tuition, schedules, and embedded certifications (EPA 608, NCCER, ASE)

Compare Trade Schools Near Portales, New Mexico

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus

Roswell, NM 90.0 miles away BOC Score 54.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 29.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 53
  • Annual completions: 844
  • 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

#2

Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College

Ruidoso, NM 145.1 miles away BOC Score 49.2
Tuition $1,372 - $9,907
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 21.6%
  • Programs offered: 23
  • Annual completions: 96
  • 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

#3

Clovis Community College

Clovis, NM 19.0 miles away BOC Score 46.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 38.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 41
  • Annual completions: 510
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,171 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Portales, NM 1.2 miles away BOC Score 44.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 42.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 118
  • 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

#5

Luna Community College

Las Vegas, NM 146.5 miles away BOC Score 43.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 33.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 35
  • Annual completions: 63
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,111 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Mesalands Community College

Tucumcari, NM 71.9 miles away BOC Score 42.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 10
  • Annual completions: 25
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $33,937 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

New Mexico Highlands University

Las Vegas, NM 144.1 miles away BOC Score 41.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 233
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,864 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

New Mexico Junior College

Hobbs, NM 98.4 miles away BOC Score 35.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 16
  • Annual completions: 190
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $60,987 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

University of the Southwest

Hobbs, NM 97.4 miles away BOC Score 35.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 53
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,952 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in New Mexico.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
154.6Contact school for pricing$54,82730%Yes*90 mi
249.2$1,372 - $9,907$54,82722%Yes*145 mi
346.6Contact school for pricing$59,17138%Yes*19 mi
443.4Contact school for pricing$38,11133%Yes*146 mi
542.7Contact school for pricing$33,937Not reported—72 mi
638.2Contact school for pricingNot reportedNot reportedYes*131 mi
735.8Contact school for pricing$60,987Not reportedYes*98 mi

Schools closest to the main population center in New Mexico are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in New Mexico is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best Trade Schools in Portales, New Mexico (2026)
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Trade Schools in Portales, New Mexico (2026) (College Scorecard)New Mexico Junior College $60987; Clovis Community College $59171; Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus $54827; Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College $54827; Luna Community College $38111; Mesalands Community College $33937.New Mexico Junior College$60,987Clovis Community College$59,171Eastern New Mexico Universit...$54,827Eastern New Mexico Universit...$54,827Luna Community College$38,111Mesalands Community College$33,937
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Trade Schools in Portales, New Mexico (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
New Mexico Junior College$60,987
Clovis Community College$59,171
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus$54,827
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College$54,827
Luna Community College$38,111
Mesalands Community College$33,937

New Mexico Trade Career Outlook

Building & Construction Trades

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Plumber4.5%
Welder2.2%
Carpenter4.5%
Flooring Installer9.5%
Construction Worker7.3%

Construction Management & Inspection

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Construction Manager8.7%
Home Inspector-0.8%

Electrical & Energy Systems

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Lineworker6.6%
Tower Technician8.6%
Electrician9.5%
Wind Turbine Technician49.9%
HVAC Technician8.1%
Solar Installer42.1%

Mechanical, Automotive & Transportation

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Aircraft Mechanic (A&P)4.0%
Gunsmith2.0%
CNC Machinist0.0%
Diesel Technician2.4%
Heavy Equipment Operator3.6%
Truck Driver (CDL)4.0%
Auto Mechanic4.2%
Automotive Technician4.2%
Maintenance Technician3.8%

Healthcare: Nursing & Patient Care

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)2.6%
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)2.6%
Hemodialysis Technician5.2%
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)2.3%
Patient Care Technician2.3%
Medical Assistant12.5%
Mental Health Technician20.0%
Home Health Aide17.0%

Healthcare: Allied Health & Diagnostics

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer13.0%
Radiologic Technologist4.3%
Surgical Technologist4.5%
EKG Technician3.0%
Pharmacy Technician6.4%
Dental Assistant6.4%
Phlebotomy Technician5.6%
Optician2.9%
Sterile Processing Technician10.0%

Healthcare: Administration & Office Support

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Medical Billing & Coding Specialist7.1%
Medical Office Administrator4.2%

Therapy, Rehab & Fitness

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Occupational Therapy Assistant19.2%
Personal Trainer11.9%
Massage Therapist15.4%
Physical Therapy Aide2.8%

Animal Care & Training

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Veterinary Technician9.1%
Veterinary Assistant8.7%
Dog Trainer5.1%

Beauty & Personal Care

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Esthetician6.7%
Beauty Professional5.6%
Cosmetologist5.6%

Culinary & Hospitality Careers

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Culinary Chef7.1%
Pastry Chef7.1%

Business & Legal Support

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Digital Court Reporter-0.3%
Paralegal0.2%
Bookkeeper-5.8%

Job growth uses state projections when available and national projections (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034) when state data is unavailable. Median pay for each trade is shown in the comparison table above.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections (2024-2034). Projected U.S. change shown for each trade.

Next Steps

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)