Est. Earnings (1yr)
$59,490
Est. from national median (153 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$23,185
Est. from national median (112 programs)

Analysis

Western New Mexico's MIS program suggests a manageable financial pathway based on what peer institutions typically produce. The estimated $23,185 in debt sits just below the national median for this field, while comparable programs across the country report first-year earnings around $59,490. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39—meaning graduates would owe roughly five months' salary, a workable position for entering the tech sector.

The real question is whether WNMU can deliver outcomes similar to its national peers. Management Information Systems is a field where employer recognition and internship networks matter significantly, and rural Silver City presents different challenges than tech hubs. National benchmarks show considerable variation, with top-quartile programs producing $67,550 in first-year earnings—suggesting that program quality and location heavily influence outcomes. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, WNMU serves a population for whom borrowing even a moderate amount represents real risk.

If your child has strong regional connections in New Mexico or neighboring states where WNMU's name carries weight, these estimates suggest reasonable financial prospects. But if they're considering relocating to major tech markets after graduation, investigate whether WNMU's career services and employer relationships can compete with programs that have proven track records in those areas.

Where Western New Mexico University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all management information systems and services bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Management Information Systems and Services bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Western New Mexico UniversitySilver City$7,868$59,490*$23,185*
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara$59,241$93,042*$19,995*0.21
National UniversitySan Diego$13,320$92,758*$85,671$28,675*0.31
Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester$16,450$86,882*$36,888*0.42
The University of Texas at AustinAustin$11,678$86,622*$96,963$19,000*0.22
Georgetown UniversityWashington$65,081$83,756*$113,090*
National Median$59,490*$24,000*0.40
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with management information systems and services graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
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 Western New Mexico University, approximately 42% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 153 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.