At $4,621/yr net price, New Mexico State University-Dona Ana 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) | $4,621 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $18,484 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,067/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,067/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 15.6% |
| 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 | $3,916/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,580/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,021/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,244/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,541/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $63,997 | $13,590 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,696 | $9,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $44,170 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $36,674 | |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $36,674 | |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Data Processing. | Associate | $26,353 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $24,730 | |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Associate | $24,035 |
The Risk Factor
15.6% of students at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana 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-Dona Ana runs low on cost and low on completion. The net price sits under $5,000 a year and median debt stays around $17,000, so the financial downside is small even if things go wrong. The problem is the 15.6% graduation rate. If you don't finish, you carry debt without the credential that pays it back, and the median earnings figure only reflects people who made it through.
The nursing associate degree is the clear winner here, paying nearly $64,000 with debt under $14,000. That's the one program where the math works decisively in your favor. Allied health and dental support both clear $44,000, which also beats the school-wide median comfortably. Business and environmental control technicians land closer to $37,000, so those pay off modestly but won't put much distance between you and the median.
The real risk at this school is not price or borrowing. It's completion. A 15.6% grad rate means most people who start don't finish, and a partial credential in nursing or allied health doesn't get you the licensed jobs that make those salaries possible. Go in with a plan to finish, and pick a health field if you want the return.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. Under $30,000, you pay about $3,900. above $110,000, you pay over $12,500. The jump happens after $48,000, where price climbs to $7,000 and up. If your family earns under $48,000, this is one of the cheaper paths into a nursing or allied health career in the region. If you're aiming at business or the technician tracks, the payoff is thinner, and you should weigh whether the credential moves your earnings enough to justify even this low cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana worth the cost?
NMSU-Dona Ana offers strong value with a low net price of $4,621 per year and median debt under $18,000. However, the 15.6% graduation rate is concerning and suggests many students don't complete their programs.
What programs at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana have the best ROI?
Nursing programs offer the strongest returns, with graduates earning around $64,000 annually. Allied health and dental support programs also pay well at $45,000-$46,000, making healthcare the clear winner for ROI.
How much debt do New Mexico State University-Dona Ana students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $17,095, which is relatively low compared to four-year schools. With the low annual cost of attendance, most students can avoid heavy borrowing.
What are the job prospects after graduating from New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
Overall earnings average $39,067 ten years after enrollment, which is modest but reasonable given the low cost. Success depends heavily on your program choice, with healthcare fields offering much better outcomes than general business programs.