Architectural Sciences and Technology at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

With first-year earnings of just $25,089, UNM's Architectural Sciences graduates earn roughly half the national median for this field. While the 60th percentile state ranking might sound reassuring, it's essentially meaningless—this is the only program of its kind in New Mexico. The real comparison is national: graduates here land in the bottom 5th percentile among architectural sciences programs, making this one of the weakest-earning options in the country for this degree.

The $22,500 in median debt looks manageable in absolute terms, but paired with earnings barely above minimum wage levels, it creates a precarious financial situation. Graduates are carrying debt equal to 90% of their first year's salary—significantly higher than ideal when those earnings start so low. Architecture-related fields typically require additional credentials or years of experience before reaching meaningful earning potential, which means these graduates face a particularly long runway before seeing financial stability.

For New Mexico residents with limited in-state alternatives, this program poses a difficult choice. Families should investigate why earnings lag so far behind national norms—whether it's the local job market, curriculum differences, or employment outcomes—and seriously consider out-of-state programs if financially feasible. The combination of rock-bottom national standing and below-poverty-line initial earnings makes this a high-risk investment, even at a public university price point.