Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Southeast New Mexico College

Southeast New Mexico College nursing graduates start strong with first-year earnings of $78,510—substantially above both the national median ($68,409) and the New Mexico state median ($73,387). At 60th percentile within New Mexico, this program sits in the middle of the pack statewide but ranks impressively at the 87th percentile nationally. The debt load of $16,467 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.21, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of earnings.

The complication here is the earnings trajectory: salaries dip to $72,107 by year four, an 8% decline. This could reflect local market dynamics in Carlsbad or graduates moving into roles with different compensation structures. Even with this decline, earnings remain above national averages, and the low debt burden provides financial flexibility that many nursing graduates don't have. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests reasonably consistent outcomes.

For families considering this program, the value proposition is solid. Your child would enter the workforce earning more than most nursing graduates nationally while carrying less debt than average. The earnings dip is worth monitoring, but the combination of strong starting salary and minimal debt makes this a financially sound choice, particularly for students planning to stay in the region.