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Computer Science at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
85 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
85
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $63,674/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 25.2x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #83 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $851K $822K $653K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 26.1x 25.2x 20.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.1x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 85 79

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,588
Out-of-state: $101,084 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,988
17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,508
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,850
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $63,674/yr, roughly in line with the $62,617 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 25.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 69% task exposure — and the 23% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $63,674 far exceeding the $19,508 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #83 out of 443 programs, New Mexico State University-Main Campus's Computer Science program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $63,674 to $87,850 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About New Mexico State University-Main Campus

New Mexico State University-Main Campus accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 11,561 students in Las Cruces, NM. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at New Mexico State University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 443 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($146,204) University of California-Los Angeles ($136,099) Yale University ($133,293) Rice University ($131,154) Northeastern University ($115,587) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($115,587) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($113,634) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($113,503)

Other Majors at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,790) Chemical Engineering ($75,766) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,229) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($68,002) Mechanical Engineering ($62,813) Engineering Technology, General ($60,250) Civil Engineering ($60,212) Finance and Financial Management Services ($48,868)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does New Mexico State University-Main Campus's Computer Science program score?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. New Mexico State University-Main Campus's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does New Mexico State University-Main Campus rank so high for Computer Science?
The #83 ranking out of 443 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →