Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Starting salaries above $71,000 with just $11,536 in debt make this nursing program financially accessible, but there's an important caveat about its standing in New Mexico. While graduates earn more than the national median for associate nursing programs, they're landing in the 40th percentile among New Mexico schools—meaning six out of ten nursing programs in the state deliver stronger initial earnings. The gap is real: top programs like Santa Fe Community College start their grads nearly $8,000 higher.
That said, the financial fundamentals work strongly in your child's favor. The debt load is exceptionally low—95th percentile nationally, meaning only 5% of nursing programs saddle students with less debt. With earnings growing 13% by year four to reach $80,785, the program demonstrates solid career trajectory even if it doesn't lead the pack initially. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 means your child could feasibly pay off loans in about two months of gross salary.
The catch: this data comes from a small graduating class, so these numbers might not be reliable year-to-year. If your child qualifies for programs like Santa Fe or NMSU-Dona Ana, the higher starting salaries could be worth pursuing. But if accessibility and proximity matter most, this remains a low-risk pathway into nursing with minimal debt burden—just not New Mexico's strongest option.
Where University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus graduates earn $72k, placing them in the 66th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in New Mexico
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in New Mexico (20 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus | $71,767 | $80,785 | $11,536 | 0.16 |
| Santa Fe Community College | $79,098 | $61,577 | $28,074 | 0.35 |
| New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | $78,510 | $72,107 | $16,467 | 0.21 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | $78,510 | $72,107 | $16,467 | 0.21 |
| Southeast New Mexico College | $78,510 | $72,107 | $16,467 | 0.21 |
| Carrington College-Albuquerque | $76,515 | $76,747 | $32,969 | 0.43 |
| National Median | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in New Mexico
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across New Mexico schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe | $2,145 | $79,098 | $28,074 |
| New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Las Cruces | $2,322 | $78,510 | $16,467 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces | $8,147 | $78,510 | $16,467 |
| Southeast New Mexico College Carlsbad | $1,176 | $78,510 | $16,467 |
| Carrington College-Albuquerque Albuquerque | — | $76,515 | $32,969 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 22 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.