Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 51.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 52.2%
- Retention Rate
- 74.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $39,067
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $17,095
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 45.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $181/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $126,504 | |
| Industrial Engineering. | Master | $82,440 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $78,971 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,635 | $22,250 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,575 | $24,262 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $69,338 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $67,660 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $63,997 | $13,590 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,384 | $18,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $62,343 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,814 | $19,074 |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $59,253 | $21,500 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $58,673 | $14,409 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $57,860 | $11,194 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $55,512 | $19,508 |
Outcomes Overview
NMSU graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $17,095 and earn $39,067 ten years after graduation. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 44%, which is manageable compared to national averages. Monthly loan payments of $181 consume about 6% of a typical graduate's income. The university's strong agricultural and engineering programs feed into New Mexico's mining, aerospace, and agricultural sectors, where technical skills command solid wages. With a 91.6% employment rate, most Aggies find work quickly after graduation. The relatively low debt burden combined with decent earning potential makes NMSU a strong return on investment, especially for in-state students paying just $8,147 annually.