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Business at Southeast New Mexico College

Carlsbad, NM · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

a compact campus enrolling 426 students in Carlsbad, 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.

The 174.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business graduates.

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.

Ranked #7 out of 130 programs, Southeast New Mexico College's Business program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $30,628 to $40,116 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
74
Low End
80
Score
82
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)
179.7x
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)
$2,352
Out-of-state: $8,016
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

View all 130 schools offering Business →

Business at Other Schools

Thomas More University ($83,571) Indiana University-Bloomington ($71,550) Empire State University ($62,409) Davenport University ($49,530) Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion ($49,463) Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global ($49,463) Lehigh Carbon Community College ($47,276) James A. Rhodes State College ($45,238)

Other Majors at Southeast New Mexico College

Nursing ($78,510) Allied Health Professions ($56,196) Data Processing ($38,559) Precision Metalworking ($27,920) Health Administration ($27,876) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($27,868) Criminal Justice ($27,638)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Business degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 80/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business at Southeast New Mexico College?
A score of 80/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Southeast New Mexico College's Business graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI affect Business careers?
Our scenarios model 46% of Business tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Southeast New Mexico College's 80/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How affordable is Business at Southeast New Mexico College?
At $7,542 in median debt, Business graduates from Southeast New Mexico College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Southeast New Mexico College one of the best schools for Business?
Among 130 Business programs, Southeast New Mexico College's #7 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is Southeast New Mexico College a good choice for Business despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Business program at Southeast New Mexico College?
Yes — 8 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Business career paths, including Health Information Management Business Analyst. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Southeast New Mexico College.
How many job openings are there for Business graduates?
With approximately 832,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Business offers a very large employment pool. Southeast New Mexico College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →