Degree Dividend
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Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus vs Carrington College-Albuquerque: which has better ROI?

Public, Portales NM · vs · Private for-profit, Albuquerque NM

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus comes closer — median earnings $38,550 against a $19,616 total, vs $36,718 at Carrington College-Albuquerque. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEastern New Mexico University-Main CampusCarrington College-Albuquerque
Net price / yr$4,904$49,030
Total net cost$19,616$196,120
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,550$36,718
Median debt$16,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$215,816-$428,960

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or Carrington College-Albuquerque?

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus, at $4,904 a year after aid versus $49,030 — a gap of $44,126 a year, or $176,504 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates earn more?

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus graduates report a median $38,550 ten years after entry, $1,832 more than the $36,718 at Carrington College-Albuquerque. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or Carrington College-Albuquerque?

Carrington College-Albuquerque: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $16,500 at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus, a difference of $7,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Carrington College-Albuquerque, against 45% at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus vs Carrington College-Albuquerque: frequently asked questions

Is Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or Carrington College-Albuquerque a better value?
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or Carrington College-Albuquerque?
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus: $4,904/yr net price after aid versus $49,030/yr at Carrington College-Albuquerque — a difference of $44,126 a year, or about $176,504 over four years.
Do Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates earn more?
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus graduates earn a median $38,550 ten years after entry, versus $36,718 at Carrington College-Albuquerque — a $1,832 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.