Head-to-head · 2026
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo vs New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
Compare average net price ($7,369 at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo; $6,048 at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana), ROI score (13.25 vs 16.15), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,067 vs $39,067), and admissions context (Open / not reported at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo; 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 State University-Alamogordo | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.25 | 16.15 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $7,369 | $6,048 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $29,476 | $24,192 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $2,616 | $2,322 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,072 | $6,360 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,067 | $39,067 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 13.7% | 19.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 45.9% | 63.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $17,095 | $17,095 |
| Enrollment | 591 | 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 State University-Alamogordo | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,714 | $5,475 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,081 | $5,904 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,132 | $7,663 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,249 ✓ | $10,624 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $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 State University-Alamogordo | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 17.9% | 30.8% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 11.6% | 6.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.4% | 5.1% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.9% | 8.3% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 6.3% | 2.6% |
| Precision Metal Working | 6.3% | 2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.9% | 4.7% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 3.6% | 2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana reports the lower average net price by $1,321 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $5,284 difference over four years ($24,192 vs $29,476).
Both schools report school-wide median earnings of $39,067 ten years after entry.
First-year retention is 45.9% at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo and 63.1% at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana. Median federal debt among completers is $17,095 vs $17,095, respectively.
8 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.
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Frequently asked
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo 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 $7,369 at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo. The annual difference of $1,321 adds up to about $5,284 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Both schools report the same school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $39,067. Use price, debt, graduation rate and program fit to separate the choices.
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.