Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Engineering programs in New Mexico typically produce strong salary outcomes, and UNM's electrical engineering degree appears no exception—though with an important caveat. The estimated first-year salary of $77,710 comes from national data for similar programs, not UNM's actual graduate outcomes (which the DOE suppressed due to small sample sizes). By year four, however, we see reported earnings of $97,245, suggesting solid mid-career momentum that outpaces both the state median and what peer programs nationally deliver.

The debt picture looks manageable at $26,436, sitting just above the national median but higher than New Mexico's typical engineering debt. Still, with a 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates would owe roughly four months of their first-year salary—a reasonable burden for an engineering credential. UNM's 95% admission rate means this outcome is accessible to most students, not just those admitted to highly selective programs.

The practical question is whether UNM can match the $82,790 that New Mexico State reports for first-year engineers. That $5,000 gap matters when you're repaying loans. The year-four data suggests UNM graduates catch up, but families should recognize they're betting on estimated early earnings rather than a proven track record at this specific campus. If your student has strong math aptitude and gets admitted to multiple New Mexico engineering programs, comparing actual reported outcomes—where available—makes sense.