What Is It Known For?
Northeastern New Mexico had no comprehensive community college until 1969, when Luna Community College opened its doors. The college takes its name from Maximiliano Luna, who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives for the Territory of New Mexico in 1899. This connection to local history reflects the institution’s commitment to serving regional communities.
Today, Luna operates three campuses across Springer, Santa Rosa, and Mora, all governed by an elected Board of Trustees. You’ll join a small educational community with 263 full-time and 494 part-time undergraduate students. This size allows for personalized attention while maintaining diverse program offerings across multiple locations.
Degrees & Certifications
Luna provides career-focused programs that serve regional workforce needs:
- Dental Assistant
- Registered Nursing
- Nursing
- Automotive Technology
- Criminal Justice
- Emergency Medical Technician
- And Many More!
Class Schedules
You have multiple options for completing your education. Luna delivers courses through distance learning using their Blackboard Learning Management System alongside traditional campus-based instruction. Most adult education classes happen during evening hours after 5 PM or on weekends to accommodate working schedules.
As for externship opportunities, their nursing programs include supervised clinical experiences at healthcare facilities where you gain hands-on patient care skills. These clinical components happen during various shifts to expose you to different healthcare environments.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. Luna Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The school also operates within the guidelines of the New Mexico Department of Higher Education.
Acceptance Rate
Luna maintains open enrollment with a 100% acceptance rate for students who meet basic requirements.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
All students pay $51 per credit hour for enrollments of 1-6 credit hours. Once you register for 7 or more credit hours, rates vary by residency:
- New Mexico residents in-district: $51 per credit hour
- New Mexico residents out-of-district: $69 per credit hour
- Out-of-state students: $132 per credit hour
Additional program costs may apply depending on your field of study. Use their net price calculator to estimate your total educational expenses.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Business Administration
- Accounting
Criminal Justice & Law
- Criminal Justice
Healthcare
- Allied Health
- Dental Assistant
- Nursing
Professional Services
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
Skilled Trades
- Automotive Collision Repair Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Electrical Wiring Technology
- Welding Technology
- Fire Science
Technology
- Computer Science
- Cybersecurity
- Video Game Design & Development
Campus Locations
Las Vegas 366 Luna Drive Las Vegas, NM 87701
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, Luna Community College is generally well-regarded for its small class sizes, which facilitate learning, and its clean, modern facilities. However, there are notable criticisms regarding the scheduling and availability of core classes in certain departments.
Overall Score: 4.2/5 Stars
Common Praises
Small Class Sizes: This is a recurring point of praise, with one reviewer stating, “small class size so your able to learn more from the instructor.” This personalized attention is a major benefit.
Supportive Instructors: A recent reviewer from two months ago mentioned having “all the teachers assistants if I needed it,” and another praised a specific math department staff member as “awesome.”
Campus Quality: Reviewers describe the campus as “clean” and “phenomenal.”
Specific Programs Noted: The Culinary Arts program and the state-certified nursing assistant testing facilities are mentioned positively.
Common Criticisms
Departmental Scheduling Issues: A major complaint is directed at the accounting and business departments, where a reviewer advised: “Do not join… You will not graduate in a standard amount of time, you will wait ages for the core required classes to be offered.”
Lack of Clear Signage: An older review mentioned a slight issue with navigation, noting that the Allied Health building needed clearer signage for testing locations.
Momentum
The most recent detailed review (two months ago) is very positive, focusing on the quality of instruction and small classes. The most significant criticism regarding departmental scheduling is from seven years ago, though it is a serious issue if it still persists. Overall, the recent feedback emphasizes the college’s strengths in teaching and facilities.