# Western New Mexico University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-new-mexico-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Silver City, NM
- **Type:** Public
- **Setting:** Town
- **Region:** Southwest
- **Enrollment:** 2,026
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's
- **Hispanic-Serving Institution:** Yes

Western New Mexico University is a solid choice for students drawn to practical fields like Education, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Precision Production, and Criminal Justice. With an enrollment of about 2,026, it caters to those looking for a more personalized experience in a public university setting. The focus here leans toward hands-on learning and community involvement, appealing to students who value engagement and real-world applications of their studies.

When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates earn an average of $39,095 a decade after finishing their degrees. This figure suggests that students often find ways to translate their education into stable careers. With an affordable net price of $8,522, many students manage to graduate without an overwhelming financial burden, which is crucial for those considering their return on investment from higher education.

Looking at the practical side, students graduate with a median debt of $23,000, which is manageable for many, especially given the earning potential. The university attracts a diverse range of students, including a notable 43% who receive Pell Grants, indicating strong support for those from lower-income backgrounds. Such an environment can foster a sense of community and resilience, making it an ideal place for those who are motivated to make the most of their educational journey.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| SAT Average | N/A |
| ACT Midpoint | N/A |

## Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set )

School-published Common Data Set facts not found in federal datasets.

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Early Decision offered | No |

Source: Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi — https://www.collegedata.fyi/schools/western-new-mexico-university

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $7,856 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $14,342 |
| Average Net Price | $8,522 |
| Median Debt | $23,000 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 43% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 22% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $8,381 |
| $30K-$48K | $8,336 |
| $48K-$75K | $12,493 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $13,210 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 34% |
| Retention Rate | 58% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $31,166 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $33,484 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $39,095 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.59x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 3.09% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 13.4% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 23.1% |
| Parent Median Income (today's $) | $69,563 |

> Mobility income figures are inflation-adjusted from the Opportunity Insights 2015-dollar base to today's dollars (CPI-U). Mobility and success rates are shares, not dollars, and are unadjusted.

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 0.62 |
| Friending Bias | 0.13 |
| Volunteering Rate | 4.5% |
| Support Ratio | 0.99 |

## Top Programs

Early-career median earnings are from the College Scorecard field-of-study file (typically 1-2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted), distinct from the school-wide 10-year median.

| Program | Enrollment Share | Early-Career Earnings (major) |
|---------|------------------|------------------------------|
| Education | 20% | $36,132 |
| Humanities | 20% | — |
| Business & Marketing | 12% | $58,987 |
| Precision Production | 10% | $38,698 |
| Health Professions | 5% | $96,639 |
| Construction Trades | 4% | — |
| Criminal Justice | 3% | $40,390 |
| Psychology | 3% | $25,014 |

## Rankings

This school appears in 7 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #3 in [Best Business Colleges in New Mexico](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-new-mexico)
- #3 in [Best Education Colleges in New Mexico](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-education-new-mexico)
- #4 in [Best Master's Programs in New Mexico](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-new-mexico)
- #6 in [Best Colleges in New Mexico](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-new-mexico)
- #6 in [Best Nursing Colleges in New Mexico](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-new-mexico)
- #7 in [Best Online Colleges in New Mexico](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-colleges-new-mexico)
- #17 in [Most Affordable Colleges in New Mexico](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-new-mexico)

## Personalized Outcomes

For an estimate tailored to a specific student (net price by family income, admission odds including Early Decision, likely earnings by major, debt, and upward mobility) at Western New Mexico University, use the Students Like You simulator: https://www.collegeranker.com/tools/outcomes-simulator

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- NCES IPEDS
- Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi (https://www.collegedata.fyi/schools/western-new-mexico-university)

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Western New Mexico University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-new-mexico-university