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Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus vs University of the Southwest: which has better ROI?

Public, Portales NM · vs · Private nonprofit, Hobbs NM

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of the Southwest comes closer — median earnings $45,389 against a $67,708 total, vs $38,550 at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEastern New Mexico University-Main CampusUniversity of the Southwest
Net price / yr$4,904$16,927
Total net cost$19,616$67,708
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,550$45,389
Median debt$16,500$21,303
Payback——
20-year net return-$215,816-$127,128

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 University of the Southwest?

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus, at $4,904 a year after aid versus $16,927 — a gap of $12,023 a year, or $48,092 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 University of the Southwest graduates earn more?

University of the Southwest graduates report a median $45,389 ten years after entry, $6,839 more than the $38,550 at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus. 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 University of the Southwest?

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $16,500 in federal loans versus $21,303 at University of the Southwest, a difference of $4,803. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

45% of students finish at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus, against 17% at University of the Southwest. 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 University of the Southwest: frequently asked questions

Is Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or University of the Southwest a better value?
University of the Southwest 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 University of the Southwest?
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus: $4,904/yr net price after aid versus $16,927/yr at University of the Southwest — a difference of $12,023 a year, or about $48,092 over four years.
Do Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or University of the Southwest graduates earn more?
University of the Southwest graduates earn a median $45,389 ten years after entry, versus $38,550 at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus — a $6,839 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.