Civil Engineering Degree in Santa Fe, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Santa Fe, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$80K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$118K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3 yrs
in Santa Fe
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Santa Fe, NM Overview
Santa Fe, New Mexico (pop. 87,505) has 7 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 118 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,028/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Santa Fe is approximately $80,240.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$13,566/yr
Private Tuition
$38,206/yr
Room & Board
$15,986/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,970/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
65%
Civil Engineering Salary in Santa Fe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Fe's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Santa Fe adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Santa Fe
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Santa Fe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,566 | Private avg: $38,206
Santa Fe avg aid: $11,970/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$118,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$38,940
vs HS diploma in Santa Fe
ROI Payback Period
3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Fe
$884,792
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,003,000) minus total education cost ($118,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Santa Fe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Fe for Civil Engineering
St. John's College
private
$38,206/yr
$152,824 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Fe Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Santa Fe
Santa Fe offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Fe Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Engineering Majors in Santa Fe
Petroleum Engineering
$59K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$59K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Santa Fe — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Civil Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Santa Fe.