Degree Dividend
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New Mexico State University-Main Campus vs Clovis Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Las Cruces NM · vs · Public, Clovis NM

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but New Mexico State University-Main Campus comes closer — median earnings $39,067 against a $35,556 total, vs $34,020 at Clovis Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNew Mexico State University-Main CampusClovis Community College
Net price / yr$8,889$3,230
Total net cost$35,556$12,920
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,067$34,020
Median debt$17,095$7,250
Payback
20-year net return-$221,416-$299,720

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

Which is cheaper, New Mexico State University-Main Campus or Clovis Community College?

Clovis Community College, at $3,230 a year after aid versus $8,889 — a gap of $5,659 a year, or $22,636 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 State University-Main Campus or Clovis Community College graduates earn more?

New Mexico State University-Main Campus graduates report a median $39,067 ten years after entry, $5,047 more than the $34,020 at Clovis Community College. 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 State University-Main Campus or Clovis Community College?

Clovis Community College: its completers carry a median $7,250 in federal loans versus $17,095 at New Mexico State University-Main Campus, a difference of $9,845. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at New Mexico State University-Main Campus, against 34% at Clovis Community College. 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 State University-Main Campus vs Clovis Community College: frequently asked questions

Is New Mexico State University-Main Campus or Clovis Community College a better value?
New Mexico State 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, New Mexico State University-Main Campus or Clovis Community College?
Clovis Community College: $3,230/yr net price after aid versus $8,889/yr at New Mexico State University-Main Campus — a difference of $5,659 a year, or about $22,636 over four years.
Do New Mexico State University-Main Campus or Clovis Community College graduates earn more?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median $39,067 ten years after entry, versus $34,020 at Clovis Community College — a $5,047 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.