Las Cruces, NM · Private University
Is New Mexico State University-Main Campus Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$39,067
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,147
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$25,271
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$101,084
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.55x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
24.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
52.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,095
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$6,747
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
New Mexico State University-Main Campus graduates earn $5,933 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at New Mexico State University-Main Campus ranked by graduate earnings
82 graduates
24 graduates
26 graduates
38 graduates
55 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at New Mexico State University-Main Campus
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At New Mexico State University-Main Campus, the gap between the highest-earning major (Mechanical Engineering: $91,131) and the lowest (Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions: $25,631) is $65,500/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical EngineeringBest ROI | $91,131 | 3.6x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $90,598 | 3.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $88,962 | 3.5x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $86,665 | 3.4x |
| Engineering Technology, General | $76,975 | 3.0x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $75,980 | 3.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,381 | 3.0x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,637 | 2.7x |
| Marketing | $53,669 | 2.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,098 | 2.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,450 | 1.8x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $46,289 | 1.8x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $45,862 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,274 | 1.8x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $44,433 | 1.8x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $43,551 | 1.7x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,370 | 1.6x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $41,107 | 1.6x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $40,965 | 1.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $40,685 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,750 | 1.6x |
| Public Health | $39,669 | 1.6x |
| Social Work | $38,916 | 1.5x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $38,565 | 1.5x |
| Animal Sciences | $37,966 | 1.5x |
| Journalism | $37,814 | 1.5x |
| Biology, General | $37,093 | 1.5x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology(1yr data) | $36,198 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $36,167 | 1.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,854 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $34,534 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $34,431 | 1.4x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,990 | 1.3x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $30,846 | 1.2x |
| Graphic Communications | $30,817 | 1.2x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $30,134 | 1.2x |
| Agriculture, General(1yr data) | $26,666 | 1.1x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsLowest(1yr data) | $25,631 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
New Mexico State University-Main Campus offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $39,067 10 years after starting, $5,933 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 24.9 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.