Western New Mexico University vs Carrington College-Albuquerque: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Western New Mexico University comes closer — median earnings $39,095 against a $34,088 total, vs $36,718 at Carrington College-Albuquerque. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Western New Mexico University | Carrington College-Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,522 | $49,030 |
| Total net cost | $34,088 | $196,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,095 | $36,718 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$219,388 | -$428,960 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Western New Mexico University or Carrington College-Albuquerque?
Western New Mexico University, at $8,522 a year after aid versus $49,030 — a gap of $40,508 a year, or $162,032 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Western New Mexico University or Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates earn more?
Western New Mexico University graduates report a median $39,095 ten years after entry, $2,377 more than the $36,718 at Carrington 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, Western New Mexico University or Carrington College-Albuquerque?
Carrington College-Albuquerque: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Western New Mexico University, a difference of $13,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Carrington College-Albuquerque, against 32% at Western New Mexico 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.