Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at New Mexico State University vary significantly by field of study, with engineering and healthcare programs delivering substantially higher earnings than liberal arts and general studies tracks. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or institutional prestige.
Analyzing 48 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights identify programs that excel across multiple dimensions including earnings performance, national rankings, and enrollment scale.
#22 nationally
$44K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, debt capacity, and enrollment size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at New Mexico State University-Main Campus.
Engineering and Technology programs stand out as New Mexico State University's highest-performing academic pathway, with Mechanical Engineering ranking #22 nationally and producing $91,131 median earnings. Electrical and Electronics Engineering delivers $86,665 earnings, while Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $75,980.
These programs combine strong national recognition with exceptional debt capacity, making them excellent choices for students seeking maximum return on educational investment and career advancement potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering. |
Rankings reflect labor market outcomes based on federal College Scorecard data tracking graduate earnings and employment patterns. Programs at the same institution produce different outcomes because career preparation, industry demand, and skill requirements vary significantly across academic fields. Higher-earning programs typically prepare students for technical roles or professions with strong labor demand, while lower-earning programs often emphasize intellectual development, social service preparation, or graduate school readiness. Value scores incorporate earnings relative to program-typical debt levels and career preparation costs. Students should consider personal interests, career goals, and risk tolerance when evaluating program outcomes, as earnings represent median results rather than guaranteed individual outcomes.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $91,131★ |
| — |
| 109 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. | #27 | $90,598 | — | 38 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #54 | $88,962 | — | 38 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #156 | $86,665 | — | 44 |
| Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | #5 | $76,975 | — | 41 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #114 | $75,980 | — | 92 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #102 | $75,381 | — | 39 |
Business programs show substantial earnings variation, with Digital Marketing leading at $53,669 and ranking #1 in New Mexico, while traditional Business Administration produces more moderate $46,450 outcomes. Banking and Financial Support Services graduates earn $41,370, and general Business/Commerce graduates earn $40,965.
These programs offer manageable debt loads with career flexibility, best suited for students prioritizing business skills development over maximum earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Marketing. | #135 | $53,669★ | — | 79 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #224 | $53,098 | — | 49 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #311 | $46,450 | — | 55 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #210 | $41,370 | — | 61 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management. | #58 | $41,107 | — | 30 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | #68 | $40,965 | — | 91 |
| International Business.Small sample | #72 | $35,060 | — | 14 |
Health programs, led by Adult Health Nurse/Nursing with $68,637 median earnings and 139 graduates, demonstrate strong workforce preparation and excellent debt capacity ratings. The program ranks #207 nationally but provides substantial earning potential relative to educational investment.
Health programs at New Mexico State University combine high demand career preparation with manageable borrowing, making them attractive for students seeking stable, well-compensated healthcare careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #214 | $68,637★ | — | 139 |
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist.Small sample | #29 | $44,231 | — | 14 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #96 | $39,669 | — | 36 |
| Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling.Small sample | #20 | $25,631 | — | 14 |
Biological Sciences programs, represented by General Biology with $37,093 median earnings, rank #315 nationally with moderate outcomes relative to educational investment. These programs typically prepare students for graduate school continuation rather than immediate workforce entry.
Sciences programs show manageable debt capacity but require careful career planning, making them suitable for students committed to research or advanced study pathways.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | #317 | $37,093★ | — | 80 |
| Immunology.Small sample | #49 | $36,198 | — | 16 |
Social Sciences programs, including Psychology with $34,534 median earnings from 89 graduates, typically produce outcomes below the university average but prepare students for graduate school and public service careers. These programs rank nationally but show challenging debt capacity ratings.
Best suited for students planning advanced degree pathways or careers prioritizing social impact over maximum earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic Social Work. | #142 | $38,916★ | — | 45 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #303 | $36,167 | — | 30 |
| Psychology, General. | #319 | $34,534 | — | 89 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #251 | $34,431 | — | 41 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography.Small sample | — | $29,685 | — | 9 |
| Anthropology, General.Small sample | #171 | $17,717 | — | 16 |
Broadcast Journalism. leads communications with 38K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalism. | #88 | $37,814★ | — | 47 |
| Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects. | #18 | $30,817 | — | 28 |
Humanities programs like Applied Linguistics produce $38,565 median earnings and rank #29 nationally, showing strong academic recognition despite moderate earnings outcomes. These programs often prepare students for diverse career paths and graduate study.
Best suited for students valuing intellectual development and communication skills over maximum earning potential, with manageable debt requirements supporting various post-graduation pathways.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing.Small sample | #39 | $40,072★ | — | 16 |
| Applied Linguistics. | #29 | $38,565 | — | 54 |
| General Studies. | #150 | $35,854 | — | 166 |
| American History (United States).Small sample | #294 | $32,742 | — | 19 |
| Digital Arts.Small sample | #22 | $30,846 | — | 17 |
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production. | #60 | $30,134 | — | 39 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #306 | $29,214 | — | 21 |
| Acting.Small sample | #174 | $15,599 | — | 10 |
Education programs demonstrate strong social impact preparation, with Adult and Continuing Education producing $39,750 earnings and ranking #161 nationally. Education of Individuals with Developmental Delays ranks #25 nationally with $45,862 earnings, showing specialized program strength.
These programs serve students committed to teaching and social service careers, with manageable debt structures supporting public sector employment pathways.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #29 | $45,862★ | — | 46 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #95 | $45,274 | — | 30 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #171 | $39,750 | — | 57 |
Agricultural programs like Agricultural Animal Breeding produce $37,966 median earnings and rank #46 nationally, reflecting specialized program strength despite moderate earnings outcomes. These programs serve New Mexico's agricultural economy and prepare students for industry-specific careers.
Best suited for students passionate about agricultural sciences and rural economic development, with reasonable debt capacity for specialized career preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations. | #52 | $44,433★ | — | 29 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. | #4 | $43,551 | — | 28 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding. | #27 | $42,222 | — | 20 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding. | #49 | $37,966 | — | 55 |
| Agriculture, General. | #37 | $26,666 | — | 20 |
Criminal Justice programs, led by Corrections Administration with $40,685 median earnings and 152 graduates, rank #137 nationally while serving public safety career preparation. These programs show manageable debt capacity with steady employment prospects in law enforcement and corrections.
Suitable for students committed to public safety careers, offering stable employment with moderate earnings growth potential in government and security sectors.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #137 | $40,685 | — | 152 |
Interdisciplinary programs like General Studies serve 166 graduates with $35,854 median earnings, providing flexible degree completion for diverse student needs. Exercise Science and Kinesiology produces $46,289 earnings ranking #105 nationally, showing stronger outcomes in specialized wellness fields.
These programs offer degree completion flexibility and career exploration, best suited for students seeking broad educational foundation or career transition opportunities.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #105 | $46,289★ | — | 57 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #81 | $31,990 | — | 40 |
| Apparel and Textile Manufacture.Small sample | — | $26,353 | — | 9 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
