Political Science and Government at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

A degree from Eastern New Mexico faces significant data limitations—both earnings and debt figures here come from national benchmarks rather than actual graduate outcomes. With only four schools in New Mexico offering political science programs, the state provides limited comparison points. What we do know: the two largest programs in the state, New Mexico State and UNM, report first-year earnings around $34,000-$35,000, which aligns closely with the national median used here.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 suggests a manageable burden if these figures prove accurate, sitting comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold. Peer programs nationally carry a median debt of $23,500, similar to the estimate here. However, political science traditionally serves as a gateway to graduate programs in law, public policy, or administration rather than an immediate career path. That $35,600 first-year figure likely includes graduates working in various sectors while some pursue further education—meaning the true picture for someone entering the workforce directly could differ substantially.

The core challenge: you're making an investment decision with borrowed data from hundreds of other schools. Eastern New Mexico's smaller scale (32% Pell recipients, 965 average SAT) suggests a different student body than flagship universities, which could mean different outcomes. If your child is committed to political science specifically and plans to stay in New Mexico, the other state options have actual reported data. That transparency matters when you're the one cosigning loans.