Head-to-head · 2026
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana vs University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus
Compare average net price ($6,048 at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana; $13,470 at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus), ROI score (16.15 vs 8.31), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,067 vs $44,792), and admissions context (Open / not reported at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana; Open / not reported at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus) 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-Dona Ana | University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 16.15 ✓ | 8.31 |
| Avg net price | $6,048 ✓ | $13,470 |
| 4-year avg net price | $24,192 ✓ | $53,880 |
| In-state tuition | $2,322 | $2,214 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,360 | $5,686 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,067 | $44,792 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 19.4% | 22.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.1% ✓ | 50% |
| Median debt | $17,095 ✓ | $18,450 |
| Enrollment | 5,177 | 218 |
| 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-Dona Ana | University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,475 ✓ | $10,916 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,904 ✓ | $13,213 |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,663 ✓ | $15,910 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,624 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,381 ✓ | $17,783 |
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-Dona Ana | University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30.8% | 30.3% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.3% | 15.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.3% | 19.1% |
| Engineering, General | 0.2% | 5.6% |
| Fire Protection | 0.9% | 3.4% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 1.5% | 2.3% |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | 0.4% | 2.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana reports the lower average net price by $7,422 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $29,688 difference over four years ($24,192 vs $53,880).
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus reports $5,725 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,792 vs $39,067). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.1% at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana and 50% at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus. Median federal debt among completers is $17,095 vs $18,450, 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.
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Frequently asked
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana vs University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus, 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 $13,470 at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus. The annual difference of $7,422 adds up to about $29,688 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,792 vs $39,067 at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana. The gap in the federal data is $5,725. 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.