New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
- Graduation Rate
- 17% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $39,067 C-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $6,048 A
- 65% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 5,177
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 39.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $39.7 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $39.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $936,893.
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 17% — 70% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $39.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 5,177
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing
Why students choose New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
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 $6,048 a year after grants and scholarships — 65% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $39,067 ten years after enrolling — 4% below the typical college, against $17,095 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.32 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 5,177 students, New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is a solid choice for individuals interested in fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, and Computer Science & IT. The focus here is on practical skills and community engagement, making it a good fit for those who appreciate a hands-on approach to learning and want to make a difference in their local area.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $39,067 per year within a decade. This number, while modest, reflects a steady path forward for those who leverage their degrees effectively. Affordability is also a key factor; the net price after aid sits at $6,048, which is manageable for many families. With 35% of students receiving Pell Grants, this indicates that financial support is available for those who need it.
In terms of financial responsibilities, graduates carry a median debt of $17,095, which is relatively low compared to many other institutions. This manageable debt load, combined with the affordable net price, makes it easier for students to thrive without being burdened by overwhelming financial pressure. Those who do best here tend to be self-motivated and community-oriented, ready to take advantage of the opportunities available in the surrounding region.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective New Mexico State University-Dona Ana 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 State University-Dona Ana? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Las Cruces, New Mexico, New Mexico State University-Dona Ana enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 17%.
- Retention Rate
- 63%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 33%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,451
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.39
- First-Gen Students
- 44%
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 State University-Dona Ana? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is $6,360, 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 $6,048. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,475 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,095 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $2,322
- Out-of-State
- $6,360
- Avg Net Price
- $6,048
- Median Debt
- $17,095
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 9%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,475
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,904
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,663
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,381
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 State University-Dona Ana — 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 State University-Dona Ana Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of New Mexico State University-Dona Ana report median earnings of $39,067, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,960
- 8 Years
- $36,423
- 10 Years
- $39,067
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 49%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (52)
- 5%
- 100% (52)
- 5%
- 100% (52)
- 5%
- 100% (52)
- 5%
How New Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, New Mexico State University-Dona Ana delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,048/year ($24,192 total). Graduates earn $39,067 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $961,085 in total earnings — a net gain of $936,893 (39.7× your investment). The median debt is $17,095, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 17% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $24,192
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $961,085
- Net Return
- $936,893
- ROI Multiple
- 39.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,048
- Median Debt
- $17,095
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 17%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields New Mexico State University-Dona Ana 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.
- Humanities 28%
- Health Professions 22% $76,041 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 11% $31,312 early-career
- Business & Marketing 9% $43,576 early-career
- Education 8% $17,257 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $26,639 early-career
- Construction Trades 4%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 2% $40,390 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 State University-Dona Ana'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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into New Mexico State University-Dona Ana? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Las Cruces, New Mexico, New Mexico State University-Dona Ana enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 17%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend New Mexico State University-Dona Ana? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is $6,360, 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 $6,048. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,475 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,095 in federal student loans.
Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of New Mexico State University-Dona Ana report median earnings of $39,067, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana? 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 State University-Dona Ana. Its economic connectedness score is 0.32, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to New Mexico State University-Dona Ana.
- Nashville State Community CollegeNashville, TN · Close peer18% grad $38,519 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- CUNY Hostos Community CollegeBronx, NY · Close peer17% grad $40,485 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga, TN · Close peer24% grad $37,598 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bristol Community CollegeFall River, MA · Close peer22% grad $38,663 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- St Charles Community CollegeCottleville, MO · Close peer24% grad $42,422 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Springfield Technical Community CollegeSpringfield, MA · Close peer29% grad $36,966 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana? 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 State University-Dona Ana. Its economic connectedness score is 0.32, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note