Western New Mexico University is a public 4-year college in Silver City, New Mexico with 2,026 undergraduates. It has open admission, costs an average of $6,328 a year after grants and graduates 44% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Western New Mexico University acceptance rate and admissions
Western New Mexico University has open admission: it admits students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs, such as nursing or other health fields, can have their own entry requirements.
Western New Mexico University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $7,891 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $14,342 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $10,940 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $21,301 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $6,328 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $6,328 a year after grants and scholarships, $14,973 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Western New Mexico University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Western New Mexico University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 44% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $41,452 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $15,875 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 38% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Western New Mexico University majors and what graduates earn
Western New Mexico University awarded bachelor's degrees in 29 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from nursing ($84,626).
All 29 majors at Western New Mexico University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | 20 | $76,741 | $84,626 | $23,342 |
| Physical and occupational therapy | 5 | n/a | $56,548 | n/a |
| Social work | 35 | $43,976 | $49,567 | $19,850 |
| Criminal justice | 19 | $40,748 | $46,184 | $10,651 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 61 | $47,752 | n/a | $12,800 |
| Psychology | 27 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | 21 | n/a | n/a | $17,152 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 17 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Business | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Business administration | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Marketing | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Special education | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mathematics | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| History | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| English | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Wildlife management | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Sociology | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Accounting | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Education | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Political science | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Environmental science | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Biology | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physical Sciences, General | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mental health counseling | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Western New Mexico University
10 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 10 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social work | Master's | 180 | $57,277 | $34,700 |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 49 | $55,674 | n/a |
| School counseling and student services | Master's | 20 | n/a | n/a |
| Business administration | Master's | 17 | $79,586 | n/a |
| Education leadership | Master's | 15 | $75,016 | n/a |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | Master's | 15 | $47,769 | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | Master's | 6 | n/a | n/a |
| Special education | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| History | Master's | 2 | n/a | n/a |
| Nursing | Master's | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Trade and career programs at Western New Mexico University
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding | Certificate | 51 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Welding | Associate degree | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 2,026 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 67% women, 33% men
- 12 students for every faculty member
- Setting: remote town
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get into Western New Mexico University?
No. Western New Mexico University has open admission for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may have extra requirements.
How much does Western New Mexico University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $7,891 for in-state students and $14,342 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $6,328 a year in 2024-25.
What is the graduation rate at Western New Mexico University?
44% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Western New Mexico University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $41,452 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in New Mexico · Western New Mexico University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.