Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at New Mexico Military Institute

That jaw-dropping $10,627 first-year salary tells you something important: these graduates aren't entering the workforce right away. At a military-focused institution, many likely continue their education or enter service immediately after this associate's degree. The eventual earnings of $37,506 by year four substantially exceed the state median of $22,417, suggesting the degree serves as a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential. Still, graduating with $5,500 in debt for an associate's degree that pays barely above minimum wage initially is a difficult start, even if it's half the typical debt load for this program.

The small sample size here is crucial—we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, so a handful of students pursuing unusual paths could skew these numbers dramatically. What's clear is that this program underperforms every comparable program in New Mexico in those critical early earnings years, ranking in just the 10th percentile statewide. If your child plans to transfer to a four-year institution or has specific military career goals that align with NMMI's mission, the eventual earnings growth might justify the investment. But for students seeking immediate workforce entry after an associate's degree, other New Mexico community colleges show much stronger outcomes with first-year earnings around $28,000-31,000.