At $5,789/yr net price, New Mexico State University-Alamogordo graduates earn $39,067/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,067/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,789 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,156 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,067/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,067/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 19.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,095 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,119/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,887/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,648/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,327/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,696 | $9,000 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $23,930 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,005 | $9,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $22,420 | $8,550 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $18,087 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $17,794 | $7,542 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $14,524 |
The Risk Factor
19.7% of students at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo gives you a low-cost path with a modest payoff and one serious catch: fewer than one in five students finish. That 19.70% graduation rate is the number that should shape every decision you make here. The tuition is cheap and the median debt is manageable, but neither matters if you don't leave with a credential.
If you finish, the financial math is reasonable for a two-year public school. You can pay off your median debt against median earnings without much strain. The gap between programs is what decides your outcome. The Allied Health associate degree pays roughly $45,700 and carries only $9,000 in debt, nearly double what the Criminal Justice and Corrections associate returns at about $22,400. Electrical Engineering Technologies sits in the middle near $34,000. Business Operations Support and Liberal Arts both land close to $23,000, which is barely above what you'd earn without the degree. Pick Allied Health or Electrical if the return is your priority. the general studies and business tracks pay off weakly.
The main risk here is not debt, it's not finishing. Four out of five students don't graduate on schedule, and if you drop out you carry whatever loans you took on with no credential to show for it.
This school fits you if you live near Alamogordo, want to keep costs low, and enroll in a specific career track like Allied Health with a clear job at the end. The net price barely moves for families under $48k, so it's affordable if your income is low. Above $48k your net price jumps to $8,600 and higher, which narrows the advantage. If you want a bachelor's degree or a strong general-studies foundation, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Mexico State University-Alamogordo worth the cost?
With a low net price of $5,789 per year and median debt under $18,000, NMSU-Alamogordo offers affordable education. However, the 20% graduation rate and $39,067 median earnings suggest limited career outcomes for many students.
What programs at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo have the best ROI?
Allied health programs offer the strongest return with graduates earning $45,696 annually. Electrical engineering technology also pays well at $33,993, while liberal arts and criminal justice graduates earn around $23,000.
How much debt do New Mexico State University-Alamogordo graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $17,095, which is manageable given the low tuition costs. The bigger concern is the low graduation rate, meaning many students leave without completing their programs.
Why is New Mexico State University-Alamogordo's graduation rate so low?
Only 20% of students graduate, which is well below national averages for community colleges. This suggests many students struggle to complete their programs, limiting the school's overall value proposition despite low costs.