Head-to-head · 2026
New Mexico Highlands University vs New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
Compare average net price ($14,838 at New Mexico Highlands University; $6,048 at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana), ROI score (7.74 vs 16.15), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,937 vs $39,067), and admissions context (Open / not reported at New Mexico Highlands University; Open / not reported at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | New Mexico Highlands University | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.74 | 16.15 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,838 | $6,048 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $59,352 | $24,192 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,416 | $2,322 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,336 | $6,360 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,937 ✓ | $39,067 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 26.2% ✓ | 19.4% |
| Retention rate | 49.8% | 63.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,399 ✓ | $17,095 |
| Enrollment | 1,451 | 5,177 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | New Mexico Highlands University | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,511 | $5,475 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,947 | $5,904 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,175 | $7,663 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,508 | $10,624 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,530 | $13,381 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | New Mexico Highlands University | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.1% | 30.8% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 24.8% | 0.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 15.1% | 4.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 15% | 1.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.4% | 3.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.7% | 5.1% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 4.1% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana reports the lower average net price by $8,790 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $35,160 difference over four years ($24,192 vs $59,352).
New Mexico Highlands University reports $6,870 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($45,937 vs $39,067). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 49.8% at New Mexico Highlands University and 63.1% at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana. Median federal debt among completers is $11,399 vs $17,095, respectively.
7 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
New Mexico Highlands University vs New Mexico State University-Dona Ana, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana is cheaper — average net price $6,048 per year vs $14,838 at New Mexico Highlands University. The annual difference of $8,790 adds up to about $35,160 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
New Mexico Highlands University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $45,937 vs $39,067 at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana. The gap in the federal data is $6,870. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.