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Head-to-head comparison

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus vs University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus: which has better ROI?

Public, Portales NM · vs · Public, Los Alamos NM

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Net price / year
$4,904
Earnings, 10 years
$38,550
Payback
No payback

Option B Los Alamos, NM

University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus

Net price / year
$13,470
Earnings, 10 years
$44,792
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus comes closer — median earnings $44,792 against a $26,940 total, vs $38,550 at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEastern New Mexico University-Main CampusUniversity of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus
Net price / yr$4,904$13,470
Total net cost$19,616$26,940
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,550$44,792
Median debt$16,500$18,450
Payback——
20-year net return-$215,816-$98,300

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus?

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus, at $4,904 a year after aid versus $13,470 — a gap of $8,566 a year, or $7,324 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates earn more?

University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates report a median $44,792 ten years after entry, $6,242 more than the $38,550 at Eastern New Mexico 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.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus?

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $16,500 in federal loans versus $18,450 at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus, a difference of $1,950. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

45% of students finish at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus, against 23% at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos 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.

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus vs University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus: frequently asked questions

Is Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus a better value?
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos 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, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus?
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus: $4,904/yr net price after aid versus $13,470/yr at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus — a difference of $8,566 a year, or about $7,324 over four years.
Do Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus or University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates earn more?
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates earn a median $44,792 ten years after entry, versus $38,550 at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus — a $6,242 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.