Business at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana

Las Cruces, NM · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

a compact campus enrolling 4,812 students in Las Cruces, NM.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $30,628/yr fall 17% below the $36,982 national median for Business. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 88.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 24% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $7,542 in median debt against $30,628 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

New Mexico State University-Dona Ana ranks #23 among 130 Business programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 31% earnings increase from $30,628 to $40,116 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Business reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
76
Score
78
High End
Earnings $30,628/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$423K
7.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
91.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,644
Out-of-state: $12,720
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,542
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,116
31% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

Business Career Guide

Explore what Business graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 130 programs nationwide.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 76/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
A score of 76/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. New Mexico State University-Dona Ana's Business graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Business to AI automation?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — New Mexico State University-Dona Ana graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Business graduates from New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
At $7,542 in median debt, Business graduates from New Mexico State University-Dona Ana carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is New Mexico State University-Dona Ana one of the best schools for Business?
The #23 ranking out of 130 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can you still earn well with Business from New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
Lower starting pay at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Business program at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana?
Beyond New Mexico State University-Dona Ana's classroom route, 8 registered apprenticeships map to Business careers — including Health Information Management Business Analyst. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Business graduates?
Job availability for Business is strong — 832,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For New Mexico State University-Dona Ana graduates specifically, local market conditions in NM may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →