Animal Sciences at New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,475/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Large (99,000 openings/yr)
ROI
14.5x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Animal Sciences graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $471K | $473K | $447K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.5x | 14.5x | 13.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.7x | 4.7x | 4.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 42% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 33 | 32 | 30 |
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 (4.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,489
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,175
45% growth from Year 1
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
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
$87,980/yr
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
$86,350/yr
Animal scientists
$79,120/yr
Compare & Explore
Animal Sciences at Other Schools
Other Majors at New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Animal Sciences at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Animal Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Animal Sciences careers?
With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $447,317 in decade earnings vs $471,308 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Animal Sciences from New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →