Economics at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

UNM's economics program starts graduates below the national median but shows remarkable momentum, with earnings jumping 28% to nearly $56,000 by year four. That growth trajectory matters more than the initial lag—while first-year graduates earn about $8,000 less than the national economics median, they're closing that gap steadily and doing so with manageable debt at $18,450.

The state context reveals an interesting wrinkle: this program ranks in the 60th percentile among New Mexico economics degrees, though only two schools in the state offer the major. The more relevant comparison is national, where UNM sits at the 20th percentile for starting earnings. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 remains reasonable, meaning graduates typically earn more than twice their debt in their first year—a workable position even with below-average starting salaries.

The real question is whether that strong earnings growth continues beyond year four. For students planning to stay in New Mexico's economy, these numbers reflect realistic local outcomes. For those targeting higher-paying markets elsewhere, the relatively open admissions and solid fundamentals make this a viable stepping stone, though they should be prepared to invest in networking and internships to compensate for the slower start. The value here depends heavily on what students do with the degree after graduation.