Silver City, NM · Private University
Is Western New Mexico University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$39,095
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,868
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,354
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$57,416
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.72x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
14 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
34.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$7,912
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Western New Mexico University graduates earn $5,905 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 Western New Mexico University ranked by graduate earnings
34 graduates
36 graduates
31 graduates
22 graduates
16 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Western New Mexico University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Western New Mexico University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $80,589) and the lowest (Psychology, General: $31,591) is $48,998/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $80,589 | 5.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $43,272 | 3.0x |
| Social Work(1yr data) | $42,250 | 2.9x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(1yr data) | $34,345 | 2.4x |
| Psychology, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $31,591 | 2.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Western New Mexico University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $39,095 10 years after starting, $5,905 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 14 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.