Location: Las Vegas, NM•In-State Tuition: $7,260•Out-of-State Tuition: $12,180
Median Earnings (1yr)
$34,750
22nd percentile
Median Debt
$18,375
32% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.53 ManageableSample: 65 graduates

Analysis

New Mexico Highlands graduates in this field start behind but make impressive progress—earnings jump 28% by year four, reaching $44,393. That trajectory matters more than the initial $34,750, which sits below the national median but exactly matches the New Mexico median. Among the state's four programs offering this degree, Highlands ranks at the 60th percentile, outperforming New Mexico State's graduates significantly.

The debt picture offers genuine relief. At $18,375, graduates owe roughly a third less than the national median of $27,000, creating a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio. For a program serving many first-generation college students (46% receive Pell grants), this matters enormously—you can reasonably pay off this debt even on entry-level mental health service salaries.

The real consideration is geographic: these outcomes reflect New Mexico's social services market, where Eastern New Mexico tops out at $40,645 after four years. If your child plans to stay in-state and is passionate about this work, Highlands delivers solid preparation without crushing debt. If they're eyeing higher-paying markets elsewhere, understand they'll start at a regional salary baseline but with minimal financial burden holding them back.

Where New Mexico Highlands University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all mental and social health services and allied professions bachelors's programs nationally

New Mexico Highlands UniversityOther mental and social health services and allied professions programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How New Mexico Highlands University graduates compare to all programs nationally

New Mexico Highlands University earns $35k — 22th percentile among mental and social health services and allied professions bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
New Mexico Highlands University$34,750$44,393+28%
University of Pennsylvania$58,269$76,896+32%
James Madison University$33,971$56,488+66%
Metropolitan State University$56,516$55,851-1%
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus$40,645$41,053+1%

Compare to Similar Programs in New Mexico

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Mexico (4 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas$7,260$34,750$44,393$18,3750.53
Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales$6,863$40,645$41,053$20,3780.50
New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces$8,147$25,631—$24,4210.95
National Median—$40,004—$27,0000.67

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with mental and social health services and allied professions graduates

Genetic Counselors

Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.

$98,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Marriage and Family Therapists

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

$63,780/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Health Education Specialists

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

$63,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Social Workers, All Other

All social workers not listed separately.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Community Health Workers

Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.

$51,030/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At New Mexico Highlands University, approximately 46% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 65 graduates with reported earnings and 109 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.