Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus at a Glance
Eastern New Mexico University is a public university with a main campus in Portales, New Mexico, and two associate degree-granting branches, one at Ruidoso and one at Roswell. ENMU is New Mexico's largest regional comprehensive university and is the most recently founded state university in New Mexico. It is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution and a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. The ENMU System consists of three campuses.
1927
99 years old
6,002
4,388 undergrad · 1,614 grad
156
17:1 student:faculty
433 acres
Identity
Is Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Worth It?
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $4,904/year net price and $38,550 median earnings, graduates earn 7.9× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #9 of 117 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #5 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #9 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | 83 | $4,904 | $38,550 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in NM.
Best Programs at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
The highest-earning program at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $70,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $17,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus earns $70,000, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $17,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $14,590 in median debt vs. $18,729 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $4,904/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $70,000 | $70,000 | $14,590 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,100 | $37,100 | $17,657 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,300 | $32,300 | $13,865 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,200 | $32,200 | $18,486 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $29,700 | $29,700 | $16,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,500 | $27,500 | $16,359 |
| Biology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $14,069 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,300 | $25,300 | N/A |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $22,600 | $22,600 | $22,104 |
| Psychology, General | $22,000 | $22,000 | $15,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $17,600 | $17,600 | $18,729 |
Similar Colleges in NM
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Portales, NM
- Student Body
- 3,357 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $4,904
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,550
- Median Student Debt
- $16,500