Home › New Mexico State University-Main Campus › Liberal Arts & Humanities

Liberal Arts & Humanities at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,568/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 15.2x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #240 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$496K	$496K	$471K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.2x	15.2x	14.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.9x	4.9x	4.7x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	32	39

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 (4.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$26,988

17% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,243

9.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,935

46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,568 place New Mexico State University-Main Campus below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 15.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 5%. Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

The $24,243 debt-to-$31,568 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #240 out of 424 programs, New Mexico State University-Main Campus's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $31,568 to $45,935 shows 46% 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, enrolling 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

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities 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

How does New Mexico State University-Main Campus's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?

This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why are Liberal Arts & Humanities earnings lower at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?

Lower starting pay at New Mexico State University-Main Campus may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →