Head-to-head · 2026
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus vs Western New Mexico University
Compare average net price ($13,470 at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus; $8,522 at Western New Mexico University), ROI score (8.31 vs 11.47), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,792 vs $39,095), and admissions context (Open / not reported at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus; Open / not reported at Western New Mexico University) 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 | University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus | Western New Mexico University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.31 | 11.47 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,470 | $8,522 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $53,880 | $34,088 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $2,214 | $7,856 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $5,686 | $14,342 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,792 ✓ | $39,095 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 22.5% | 32.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 50% | 58.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,450 ✓ | $23,000 |
| Enrollment | 218 | 2,026 |
| 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 | University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus | Western New Mexico University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,916 | $8,381 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,213 | $8,336 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,910 | $12,493 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,783 | $13,210 ✓ |
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 | University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus | Western New Mexico University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30.3% | 7.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 19.1% | 6.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.3% | 0.9% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 1.1% | 0.1% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 1.1% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western New Mexico University reports the lower average net price by $4,948 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $19,792 difference over four years ($34,088 vs $53,880).
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus reports $5,697 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,792 vs $39,095). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 50% at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus and 58.1% at Western New Mexico University. Median federal debt among completers is $18,450 vs $23,000, respectively.
5 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
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus vs Western New Mexico University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western New Mexico University is cheaper — average net price $8,522 per year vs $13,470 at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus. The annual difference of $4,948 adds up to about $19,792 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 $39,095 at Western New Mexico University. The gap in the federal data is $5,697. 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.