Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of New Mexico-Main Campus vs New Mexico State University-Main Campus: which has better ROI?

Public, Albuquerque NM · vs · Public, Las Cruces NM

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of New Mexico-Main Campus comes closer — median earnings $44,792 against a $61,956 total, vs $39,067 at New Mexico State University-Main Campus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Head to head
MeasureUniversity of New Mexico-Main CampusNew Mexico State University-Main Campus
Net price / yr$15,489$8,889
Total net cost$61,956$35,556
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,792$39,067
Median debt$18,450$17,095
Payback
20-year net return$-133,316$-221,416

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