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New Mexico Highlands University vs Brookline College-Albuquerque: which has better ROI?

Public, Las Vegas NM · vs · Private for-profit, Albuquerque NM

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but New Mexico Highlands University comes closer — median earnings $45,937 against a $59,352 total, vs $29,576 at Brookline College-Albuquerque. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNew Mexico Highlands UniversityBrookline College-Albuquerque
Net price / yr$14,838$37,459
Total net cost$59,352$149,836
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,937$29,576
Median debt$11,399$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$107,812-$525,516

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

Which is cheaper, New Mexico Highlands University or Brookline College-Albuquerque?

New Mexico Highlands University, at $14,838 a year after aid versus $37,459 — a gap of $22,621 a year, or $90,484 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do New Mexico Highlands University or Brookline College-Albuquerque graduates earn more?

New Mexico Highlands University graduates report a median $45,937 ten years after entry, $16,361 more than the $29,576 at Brookline 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, New Mexico Highlands University or Brookline College-Albuquerque?

Brookline College-Albuquerque: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $11,399 at New Mexico Highlands University, a difference of $1,899. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

47% of students finish at Brookline College-Albuquerque, against 26% at New Mexico Highlands University. 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.

New Mexico Highlands University vs Brookline College-Albuquerque: frequently asked questions

Is New Mexico Highlands University or Brookline College-Albuquerque a better value?
New Mexico Highlands University 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, New Mexico Highlands University or Brookline College-Albuquerque?
New Mexico Highlands University: $14,838/yr net price after aid versus $37,459/yr at Brookline College-Albuquerque — a difference of $22,621 a year, or about $90,484 over four years.
Do New Mexico Highlands University or Brookline College-Albuquerque graduates earn more?
New Mexico Highlands University graduates earn a median $45,937 ten years after entry, versus $29,576 at Brookline College-Albuquerque — a $16,361 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.