At $10,050/yr net price, University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates earn $44,792/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,792/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,050 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,792/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,792/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,450 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,792/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,255/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,905/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,405/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Physical Sciences. | Associate | $23,579 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $21,234 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $20,140 | $10,169 |
The Risk Factor
29.6% of students at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus 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
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus gives you a modest but real financial picture at a low price point. Net price sits around $10,050 a year, and median debt for graduates lands under $19,000. That keeps your downside small, which matters at a school where only about 30% of students finish.
The median earnings figure of roughly $45,000 ten years out looks decent for a two-year public campus, but the program-level numbers tell a harder story. Every listed program is an associate credential, and the top earner, Business Administration, brings in about $25,000 a year in early associate earnings. Physical Sciences, Teacher Education, and Liberal Arts all land lower, with Liberal Arts near $20,000. None of these associate-level programs pays enough on its own to build a career around. Los Alamos is a national-lab town, so an associate degree here works best as a transfer step or a technical add-on, not an endpoint.
The real risk is the completion rate. With fewer than a third of students graduating, you can accumulate debt without a credential to show for it. Business Administration is your strongest bet if you want to stop at the associate level. Liberal Arts pairs the lowest earnings with the lowest debt, so treat it as a transfer pathway.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $8,800. that price climbs past $14,000 once you cross $75,000 in income. The middle brackets get a worse deal than the numbers might suggest.
This campus fits you if you plan to transfer to UNM's main campus or pick up a specific technical skill cheaply. If you want an associate degree that stands alone in the job market, the earnings here do not support that plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus worth the cost?
UNM-Los Alamos offers a low net price at $10,050 per year, but graduates earn only $44,792 after 10 years with median debt of $18,450. The 29.6% graduation rate is concerning and significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition.
What programs at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus have the best ROI?
Business Administration has the highest earning potential at $25,194, followed by Physical Sciences at $23,579. However, all top programs at UNM-Los Alamos produce below-average earnings compared to national standards for college graduates.
How much debt do University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus graduates typically have?
The median debt load is $18,450, which is relatively manageable given the low tuition costs. However, with post-graduation earnings around $44,792, the debt-to-income ratio creates financial strain for many graduates.
Should I attend University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus or look elsewhere?
Consider UNM-Los Alamos only if you need local access to higher education or plan to transfer to a four-year institution. The low graduation rate and poor earning outcomes make it a risky choice for students seeking strong career prospects.