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

Nursing graduates from UNM-Taos start with solid earnings of $71,767, but there's a gap worth noting: they earn about $2,000 less than the New Mexico median for nursing programs and trail the state's top performers by $7,000-$8,000 annually. That 40th percentile ranking among New Mexico nursing programs suggests this isn't the strongest option in a state with 20 choices—particularly when schools like Santa Fe Community College and NMSU-Dona Ana consistently produce higher-earning graduates from the start.

The financial picture does have one major advantage: graduating with just $11,536 in debt is exceptional, landing in the 95th percentile nationally and well below New Mexico's typical $14,519. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 means students could theoretically pay off loans in under two months of gross salary. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers less reliable than data from larger programs.

For families prioritizing minimal debt, this program delivers. But if maximizing nursing salary matters—especially in New Mexico's healthcare market—the other state schools offering higher starting pay deserve serious consideration. The lower Pell grant percentage (15%) also suggests this campus may serve a different student population than typical community colleges, which could affect your experience and resources available.