University of New Mexico-Main Campus vs New Mexico State University-Main Campus: which has better ROI?
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.)
| Measure | University of New Mexico-Main Campus | New 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.
Which is cheaper, University of New Mexico-Main Campus or New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus, at $8,889 a year after aid versus $15,489 — a gap of $6,600 a year, or $26,400 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of New Mexico-Main Campus or New Mexico State University-Main Campus graduates earn more?
University of New Mexico-Main Campus graduates report a median $44,792 ten years after entry, $5,725 more than the $39,067 at New Mexico State 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, University of New Mexico-Main Campus or New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
New Mexico State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $17,095 in federal loans versus $18,450 at University of New Mexico-Main Campus, a difference of $1,355. 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 55% at University of New Mexico-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.