Head-to-head comparison
University of New Mexico-Main Campus vs New Mexico State University-Dona Ana: which has better ROI?
Option A Albuquerque, NM
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
- Net price / year
- $15,489
- Earnings, 10 years
- $44,792
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
- Net price / year
- $6,048
- Earnings, 10 years
- $39,067
- Payback
- No payback
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-Dona Ana. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of New Mexico-Main Campus | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,489 | $6,048 |
| Total net cost | $61,956 | $12,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,792 | $39,067 |
| Median debt | $18,450 | $17,095 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,316 | -$197,956 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of New Mexico-Main Campus or New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana, at $6,048 a year after aid versus $15,489 — a gap of $9,441 a year, or $49,860 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 University of New Mexico-Main Campus or New Mexico State University-Dona Ana 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-Dona Ana. 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, University of New Mexico-Main Campus or New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana: 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.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at University of New Mexico-Main Campus, against 19% at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana. 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.