A new class of more than 2,400 freshmen students will begin at New Mexico State University this fall, along with 9,000 continuing undergraduates and 2,200 graduate students. These students are committed to working toward the day when they will walk onto the graduation stage at the Pan American Center to the cheers of their family, friends, and hundreds of other graduates. All of them have chosen to invest in their futures by spending time and money on the prospect of a college education at an institution where they can feel at home.
Most NMSU students have probably encountered negative messages about the value of a college education. Critics worry about the high costs, the return on investment, and the false notion that colleges are exclusive institutions that only accept students from families with college backgrounds. These critics couldn’t be more wrong.
Although we live in uncertain times, some things don’t change. Earning a college degree remains an important achievement in our post-COVID-19 economy. And in New Mexico, higher education pays even more dividends, benefiting individual students, their families, and even the state of New Mexico.
Most New Mexico residents can have tuition and fees paid through the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship and the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship. Low-income students who qualify for federal Pell Grants—and at NMSU, that’s typically nearly half of our student body—may receive nearly $7,400 more to cover other tuition costs. As of 2021, NMSU supports all incoming freshmen with a technology grant in the form of a laptop. We welcome students, help them pay for their studies, and ensure they have the tools they need to succeed. The high tuition costs that make headlines at other institutions are not the reality for resident students at state institutions like NMSU.
Likewise, cautionary tales of staggering student debt at NMSU are not the norm. According to U.S. News and World Report, the average student loan debt of NMSU graduates is $17,095. For comparison, according to the Federal Reserve, the median borrower for all 2023 students is between $20,000 and $25,000. BestColleges.com reports that the average student loan debt of graduates from all colleges in New Mexico is $34,140. An NMSU graduate has, on average, half that amount.
Although $17,095 is a lot of money for most people, our graduates get good jobs. The top six careers NMSU graduates work in are business administration, marketing, electrical and computer engineering, aerospace engineering, education, and nursing. Additionally, the average mid-career salary of an NMSU graduate is just under $84,000 per year. What does the state of New Mexico invest in higher education scholarships? The return is that 33% of NMSU graduates work in New Mexico and the majority of NMSU graduates contribute to and work in the regional economy.
NMSU students find belonging, success, and meaningful opportunities to prepare for their post-college careers. Nearly 75% of freshmen return to NMSU after their freshman year, and more than 85% of senior and freshman students say in the National Student Survey of Engagement that they would choose NMSU again if they were to start college again.
To promote student success, they must first receive the resources, support, and schedules that meet their needs. Students have the opportunity to attend NMSU through traditional on-campus degree programs and through flexible online degree programs offered by NMSU Global. All students are welcomed to an orientation before their first semester to learn about NMSU. Students have access to tutoring, career guidance programs, and meaningful student life activities. Faculty provide mentoring within the discipline, career counseling, and research opportunities. Study abroad, internships, and experiential learning help students gain authentic experiences to refine skills desired by employers for a 21st century workplace.
NMSU students know that a college education is an excellent investment in a promising future. As friends, families and community members of these students, we must all commit to helping them earn that future.
Renay Scott is Vice President for Student Success at New Mexico State University. You can reach her at [email protected].
