Location: Las Cruces, NM•In-State Tuition: $8,147•Out-of-State Tuition: $25,271•Admission Rate: 76%•Avg SAT: 1004
Median Earnings (1yr)
$60,250
49th percentile
Median Debt
$22,000
16% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.37 ManageableSample: 55 graduates

Analysis

New Mexico State delivers solid engineering technology outcomes that improve markedly over time—earnings jump 28% from $60,250 to nearly $77,000 within four years of graduation. That $77K figure puts graduates well above the national median and represents genuine career momentum in a field where hands-on technical skills become more valuable with experience. The $22,000 debt load (0.37 ratio to first-year earnings) is manageable enough to pay down while building savings.

The program ranks at the 60th percentile among New Mexico's limited engineering technology options, though with only two schools offering this degree statewide, NMSU essentially shares the market. Nationally, the program sits right at the median for earnings, which means it's delivering typical outcomes for the field without the premium debt some competing schools carry. That debt advantage matters—NMSU graduates owe about $4,000 less than the national median, making the degree more accessible for the 40% of students receiving Pell grants.

For families looking at affordable technical education with real wage growth potential, this program offers a practical path. The combination of reasonable debt and strong four-year earnings creates room to establish financial stability relatively quickly after graduation.

Where New Mexico State University-Main Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technology bachelors's programs nationally

New Mexico State University-Main CampusOther engineering technology programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How New Mexico State University-Main Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

New Mexico State University-Main Campus earns $60k — 49th percentile among engineering technology bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
New Mexico State University-Main Campus$60,250$76,975+28%
Drexel University$66,431$87,840+32%
Miami University-Oxford$69,483$81,683+18%
Miami University-Hamilton$69,483$81,683+18%
Miami University-Middletown$69,483$81,683+18%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Engineering Technology bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces$8,147$60,250$76,975$22,0000.37
Bemidji State UniversityBemidji$10,164$85,830$71,347$30,9820.36
Eastern Washington UniversityCheney$8,353$70,789—$25,6660.36
Miami University-OxfordOxford$17,809$69,483$81,683$26,3250.38
Miami University-HamiltonHamilton$7,278$69,483$81,683$26,3250.38
Miami University-MiddletownMiddletown$7,278$69,483$81,683$26,3250.38
National Median—$60,529—$26,3250.43

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

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.

Sample Size: Based on 55 graduates with reported earnings and 45 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.