Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at New Mexico State University-Grants

For a New Mexico family considering this associate's degree, NMSU-Grants performs solidly above the state median—earning about $7,000 more annually than the typical New Mexico graduate in this field. At the 60th percentile statewide, it's a respectable middle-of-the-pack option that beats more than half of similar programs in the state. Nationally, outcomes cluster right around average, which is perfectly acceptable for an associate's degree that serves as either workforce entry or a transfer pathway.

The debt situation looks manageable at $10,500, requiring less than five months of gross earnings to repay. With modest 5% earnings growth over four years, graduates see some income progression, though these aren't incomes that will support a lavish lifestyle—you're looking at around $30,000 annually after several years. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers are reasonably stable, not outliers.

The real question is purpose: if your child plans to transfer to a four-year institution, this provides an affordable foundation. If they're entering the workforce directly, understand they're competing with four other New Mexico institutions posting identical first-year earnings. The advantage here is cost containment—keeping debt low while figuring out next steps is a legitimate strategy, especially for students still exploring career options.