Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

A 95% acceptance rate means University of New Mexico-Main Campus is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 16,686 in Albuquerque, NM.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $22,417 place University of New Mexico-Main Campus below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 21.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

The 32% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 0% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

With first-year pay of $22,417 far exceeding the $10,169 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #783 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, University of New Mexico-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $22,417 to $31,857 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

34 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32
Low End
34
Score
34
High End
Earnings $22,417/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$344K
9.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
21.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
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)
$16,230
Out-of-state: $52,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,169
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,857
42% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof

About Liberal Arts and Sciences Careers

Your studies in humanities and sciences can lead to a career shaping minds in higher education. As a community college instructor, your days are focused on the classroom. You’ll craft engaging lectures, lead discussions on foundational texts, and spend afternoons in office hours, helping students one-on-one with their essays and research projects. At a four-year university, your role often expands to include original research, meaning you might spend your mornings teaching a seminar and your afternoons in the library archives, contributing new knowledge to your field by writing articles and books.

Read the full Liberal Arts and Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences Overview

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
A score of 34/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts and Sciences?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Liberal Arts and Sciences work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Why are Liberal Arts and Sciences earnings lower at University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of New Mexico-Main Campus's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →