New Mexico State University-Main Campus vs Santa Fe Community College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, NM | Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe, NM | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -61% | +96% |
| 10-year net gain | $-25,406 | $25,813 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $46,638 | $50,277 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $35,599 | $59,466 |
| Average net price | $8,889 | $11,067 |
| Median debt | $17,095 | $13,236 |
| Break-even | 25.5 yrs | 5.1 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 55% | — |
| Admission rate | 89% | — |
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Poor return
$-25,406 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Santa Fe Community College
Strong return
+$25,813 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.