New Mexico Highlands University
#1 Best Business Colleges in New Mexico- Graduation Rate
- 26% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,937 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $14,838 C+
- Close to the national average
- Enrollment
- 1,451
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Business Colleges in New Mexico.
Every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,062,713.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 26% — 55% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.09% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why New Mexico Highlands University Matters
New Mexico Highlands University is a public university in Las Vegas, NM and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,451
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology
Why students choose New Mexico Highlands University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,838 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,937 ten years after enrolling — 13% above the typical college, against $11,399 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 10% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.75 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At New Mexico Highlands University, you’ll find a tight-knit community where around 1,451 students can pursue a range of programs in Education, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, and Humanities. This school caters well to those seeking a supportive environment, especially if you're interested in service-oriented careers or liberal arts. While the graduation rate stands at 26%, it’s essential to note that many here appreciate the personalized attention and small class sizes that come with being part of a public university in a unique setting.
Looking beyond the classroom, graduates from New Mexico Highlands University see a median earning of $45,937 ten years after completing their degree. This figure is significant because it reflects the potential for financial stability in various fields, particularly for those who take advantage of the strong programs in education and health. The affordability of this institution also stands out, with 45% of students receiving Pell Grants, which makes higher education more accessible for those who qualify.
On the financial side, the net price after aid is approximately $14,838, and the median debt load is around $11,399. This manageable debt level means graduates can focus on building their careers rather than being overwhelmed by student loans. Students who thrive here often value community engagement and a hands-on approach to learning, making New Mexico Highlands a fitting choice for those who want to make a difference in their fields.
Rankings
- #1 Best Business Colleges in New Mexico
- #1 Best Nursing Colleges in New Mexico
- #1 Best Education Colleges in New Mexico
- #2 Best Master's Programs in New Mexico
- #4 Best Colleges in New Mexico
- #6 Best Online Colleges in New Mexico
- #25 Most Affordable Colleges in New Mexico
- #49 Best Colleges for Education
Can I Get In?
How selective New Mexico Highlands University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into New Mexico Highlands University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Las Vegas, New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 26%.
- Retention Rate
- 50%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 78%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,823
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- First-Gen Students
- 45%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend New Mexico Highlands University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at New Mexico Highlands University is $12,336, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,838. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,511 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,399 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,416
- Out-of-State
- $12,336
- Avg Net Price
- $14,838
- Median Debt
- $11,399
- Pell Grant Rate
- 45%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 18%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,511
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,947
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,175
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,530
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at New Mexico Highlands University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is New Mexico Highlands University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $45,937, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,952
- 8 Years
- $40,392
- 10 Years
- $45,937
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.25x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (56)
- 20%
- 100% (56)
- 20%
- 100% (56)
- 20%
- 100% (56)
- 20%
How New Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is New Mexico Highlands University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, New Mexico Highlands University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,838/year ($59,352 total). Graduates earn $45,937 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,122,065 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,062,713 (18.9× your investment). The median debt is $11,399, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 26% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $59,352
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,122,065
- Net Return
- $1,062,713
- ROI Multiple
- 18.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,838
- Median Debt
- $11,399
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 26%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does New Mexico Highlands University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
New Mexico Highlands University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.09%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 21.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $48,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.09%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 21.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $65,895
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $9,292,702
- Investment Income
- $-1,706,216
Top Programs
The fields New Mexico Highlands University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 29% $96,280 early-career
- Education 27% $38,867 early-career
- Business & Marketing 18% $39,967 early-career
- Psychology 6% $30,819 early-career
- Humanities 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $28,558 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Criminal Justice 2% $37,207 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for New Mexico Highlands University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into New Mexico Highlands University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Las Vegas, New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 26%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend New Mexico Highlands University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at New Mexico Highlands University is $12,336, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,838. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,511 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,399 in federal student loans.
Is New Mexico Highlands University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $45,937, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does New Mexico Highlands University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
New Mexico Highlands University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.09%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 21.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $48,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is New Mexico Highlands University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at New Mexico Highlands University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to New Mexico Highlands University.
- Kent State University at AshtabulaAshtabula, OH · Close peer25% grad $45,388 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Kent State University at SalemSalem, OH · Close peer30% grad $45,388 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Kent State University at GeaugaBurton, OH · Close peer23% grad $45,388 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Belhaven UniversityJackson, MS · Close peer50% grad $46,440 earn 50% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Kent State University at TrumbullWarren, OH · Close peer30% grad $45,388 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mid-America Christian UniversityOklahoma City, OK · Close peer40% grad $46,116 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is New Mexico Highlands University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at New Mexico Highlands University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note