At $17,478/yr net price, University of New Mexico-Main 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) | $17,478 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $69,912 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,792/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,792/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.5% |
| 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 | $13,908/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,609/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,586/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,679/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,948/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. | Doctoral | $135,393 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $124,631 | $117,989 |
| Engineering, General. | Doctoral | $114,892 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $105,465 | $78,496 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $103,078 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $94,999 | $61,577 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $92,632 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $92,632 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $85,391 | $30,625 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $74,953 |
The Risk Factor
52.5% of students at University of New Mexico-Main Campus graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial return at UNM Main Campus is mixed, and it depends heavily on your major. Median earnings ten years out sit at $44,792, which is modest, but that number hides a wide gap between programs. Nursing graduates clear roughly $71,000 with about $19,000 in debt, and the engineering and computer science tracks land in the $62,000 to $69,000 range. Those are the degrees that pay off here.
Outside those fields, the picture weakens fast. The median for all graduates falls well below what nursing and engineering pull, so if you enroll planning to major in something outside health or engineering, expect earnings closer to that $44,792 figure. Pick your major before you commit, because the school's payoff lives almost entirely in a handful of technical programs.
The biggest risk here is finishing at all. Only 52.5% of students graduate, and about 27% don't return after their first year. If you borrow, enroll, and then leave without a degree, you carry debt with no credential to repay it. Median debt of $18,450 is manageable for a nursing or mechanical engineering graduate but heavy for someone who drops out.
On price, the tiers actually favor lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay about $13,908 a year, while families above $110,000 pay closer to $20,948. The gap between the top two income brackets is small, so higher earners see little additional break.
This school fits you if you're committed to nursing, engineering, or computer science and can realistically finish in a reasonable time. If you're undecided about your major or unsure you'll complete the degree, weigh the graduation odds carefully before borrowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of New Mexico-Main Campus worth the cost?
UNM offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $17,478 and manageable debt levels around $18,450. However, the 10-year median earnings of $44,792 are below national averages, making it worthwhile mainly for nursing, pharmacy, and engineering programs that earn significantly more.
What are the highest paying majors at University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
Nursing programs lead with $135,393 median earnings, followed by pharmacy at $124,631 and engineering at $114,892. These programs offer strong ROI that justifies the investment, while many other majors at UNM result in below-average post-graduation earnings.
How much debt do University of New Mexico-Main Campus graduates typically have?
UNM graduates carry a median debt of $18,450, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. The low debt burden helps offset the school's modest overall earning outcomes for most graduates.
What is the graduation rate at University of New Mexico-Main Campus and why does it matter?
UNM has a 52.5% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students don't finish their degree. This creates significant risk of taking on debt without receiving the credential needed to access higher-paying jobs, particularly concerning given the school's open admission policy.