Chemical Engineering at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

With only a handful of graduates in the data, these numbers come with a major asterisk, but they reveal an interesting pattern: UNM's chemical engineering grads start about $10,000 behind the national median at $62,907, yet this program actually ranks in the middle of New Mexico's limited options. New Mexico State produces significantly higher starting salaries ($75,766), while New Mexico Tech's grads earn less despite that school's technical reputation. The $20,187 debt load sits well below national norms, and the 26% earnings jump to nearly $79,000 by year four suggests graduates find their footing in the market—though that four-year mark still trails what most chemical engineering grads earn nationally right out of school.

The real question is whether this represents the program's limitations or New Mexico's regional economy. Chemical engineering typically commands strong salaries nationwide, so the 16th percentile national ranking is concerning. However, the accessible admissions (95% acceptance rate) mean your child can actually get into this program, graduate with manageable debt, and still reach a solid mid-career salary. If your student plans to leave New Mexico after graduation, they'll need to compete against graduates from higher-ranked programs. If staying in-state, this becomes a more competitive option—but even then, New Mexico State appears to offer better earning potential in the same field.