Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe Community College's nursing program commands premium debt ($28,074 versus the state median of $14,519) while delivering middling outcomes for New Mexico. At the 60th percentile statewide, graduates here earn about $5,700 more in their first year than the typical New Mexico nursing graduate—decent, but notably less than the top-performing programs at Southeast New Mexico College and NMSU campuses, which all break $78,500. You're paying nearly double the typical New Mexico nursing program debt for what amounts to middle-of-the-pack results in the state.

The bigger concern is the trajectory. Earnings drop 22% from year one to year four, falling from $79,098 to $61,577. This isn't the typical nursing career arc and suggests graduates may be struggling to maintain their initial positions or are moving into lower-paying roles. The national 88th percentile ranking looks impressive until you realize it reflects New Mexico's generally higher nursing wages rather than this program's specific strength.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 remains manageable, and you're still looking at nearly $80,000 in first-year earnings. But for what you're paying, consider whether programs like Central New Mexico Community College—which costs half as much and produces similar outcomes—might offer a smarter path into New Mexico's nursing workforce.