Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

UNM's nursing program places graduates in strong earning positions right out of college, with first-year salaries of $82,216 that significantly exceed the national average of $74,888. However, this early advantage comes with a notable drawback: earnings actually decline by year four to $79,642, bucking the typical career trajectory where nurses see steady income growth over time.

Within New Mexico, this program sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing behind New Mexico Highlands ($88,137) and Eastern New Mexico ($83,465). The $25,271 in median debt is reasonable for nursing—creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 that's manageable compared to many healthcare programs. While debt levels are higher than the state median of $23,332, they remain well below the national average.

The earnings decline over the first four years is the primary concern here, suggesting graduates may face limited advancement opportunities or market saturation in the region. For families considering this investment, UNM nursing offers solid immediate job prospects with starting salaries that beat national benchmarks, but the program doesn't position graduates as competitively within New Mexico as some alternatives. If your child can gain admission to New Mexico Highlands or Eastern New Mexico, those programs deliver better long-term value in the state job market.