Location: Las Cruces, NM•In-State Tuition: $8,147•Out-of-State Tuition: $25,271•Admission Rate: 76%•Avg SAT: 1004
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$41,422
Est. from NM median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$17,606
Est. from national median (186 programs)

Analysis

Similar allied health programs in New Mexico suggest first-year earnings around $41,400—right at the state median and notably above the $36,900 national benchmark for this field. With estimated debt of $17,600, this translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their annual salary. That's manageable territory, especially when you consider that the national median debt for associate's-level allied health programs runs higher at nearly $20,000.

The challenge is that New Mexico's allied health job market shows significant variation. Pima Medical Institute graduates in Albuquerque earn nearly $50,000 in their first year, while San Juan College graduates start closer to $37,000. Without actual data from NMSU's specific program, it's difficult to know where on this spectrum their graduates land. The university's 76% admission rate and substantial Pell Grant population (40%) suggest it serves a broad student base, but that tells you little about how well this particular allied health program prepares students for the workforce.

The estimated numbers point to a reasonable financial picture—lower debt than typical and earnings that beat national norms. But before committing, reach out to NMSU's program directly for placement rates and employer partnerships. In allied health, where you do clinical rotations and which local healthcare systems hire graduates matters as much as the credential itself.

Where New Mexico State University-Main Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally

New Mexico State University-Main Campus (estimated ±10%)Other allied health and medical assisting services programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in New Mexico

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in New Mexico (10 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces$8,147$41,422*—$17,606*—
Pima Medical Institute-AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque—$49,969*$48,391$27,032*0.54
Clovis Community CollegeClovis$1,472$41,422*$44,814—*—
San Juan CollegeFarmington$1,790$37,239*$49,812$17,090*0.46
National Median—$36,862*—$19,825*0.54
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

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:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

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 State University-Main Campus, approximately 40% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in NM. Actual outcomes may vary.