University of New Mexico-Main Campus
University of New Mexico-Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of New Mexico-Main Campus at a Glance
The University of New Mexico is a public research university in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 1889 by the New Mexico Territorial Legislature, it is the state's second oldest university, a flagship university in the state, and the largest by enrollment, with 22,630 students in 2023.
1889
137 years old
$887M
$887 million (2025)
25,441
19,010 undergrad · 6,431 grad
769 acres
Identity
Is University of New Mexico-Main Campus Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, University of New Mexico-Main Campus is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,792 — 17% below average — while paying $15,489/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of New Mexico-Main Campus has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of New Mexico-Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #57 of 97 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 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #3 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #6 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #57 | University of New Mexico-Main Campus | 39 | $15,489 | $44,792 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of New Mexico-Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NM.
Best Programs at University of New Mexico-Main Campus
The highest-earning program at University of New Mexico-Main Campus is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $69,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services at $15,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of New Mexico-Main Campus earns $69,500, while a Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services graduate earns $15,700. 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 $25,000 in median debt vs. $18,500 for Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,489/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 | $69,500 | $69,500 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $65,900 | $65,900 | $24,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,000 | $65,000 | $16,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $59,300 | $59,300 | $24,038 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $58,100 | $58,100 | $15,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $56,400 | $56,400 | $28,817 |
| Civil Engineering | $53,900 | $53,900 | $27,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $43,500 | $43,500 | $24,402 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,300 | $38,300 | $18,750 |
| Economics | $33,200 | $33,200 | $17,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,200 | $31,200 | $22,186 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,700 | $29,700 | $16,823 |
| Political Science and Government | $29,700 | $29,700 | $20,862 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $28,900 | $28,900 | $20,000 |
| Journalism | $27,900 | $27,900 | $15,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $27,400 | $27,400 | $19,750 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $26,400 | $26,400 | $17,403 |
| Chemistry | $25,800 | $25,800 | $22,714 |
| Psychology, General | $25,800 | $25,800 | $22,297 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,600 | $25,600 | $21,381 |
| Sociology | $25,500 | $25,500 | $21,972 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,200 | $25,200 | $23,520 |
| Biology, General | $24,200 | $24,200 | $17,956 |
| Philosophy | $24,200 | $24,200 | $25,257 |
| Anthropology | $23,200 | $23,200 | $20,250 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $21,200 | $21,200 | $31,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $19,800 | $19,800 | $16,592 |
| History | $19,600 | $19,600 | $22,828 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $15,700 | $15,700 | $18,500 |
Similar Colleges in NM
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Albuquerque, NM
- Student Body
- 17,244 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,489
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,792
- Median Student Debt
- $18,450