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Climate Science Degree in Albuquerque, NM — Salary & ROI 2026

Climate Science degree analysis for Albuquerque, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$80K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$117K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

1.8 yrs

in Albuquerque

Cost of Living

111

index (100 = avg)

Climate Science in Albuquerque, NM Overview

Albuquerque is one of New Mexico's top college towns, with 40 institutions and a student population of 37,837. Public tuition averages $4,872/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Climate Science has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Climate Modeling and Data Analysis skills. The adjusted starting salary in Albuquerque is approximately $79,920.

Category

STEM

Local Colleges

40

Public Tuition

$4,872/yr

Private Tuition

$14,580/yr

Room & Board

$13,830/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$13,246/yr

Unemployment

4.4%

Graduation Rate

70%

Climate Science Salary in Albuquerque (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Albuquerque's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$79,920(+$7,920 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$116,550(+$11,550 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$155,400(+$15,400 vs national)

Note: National average Climate Science salary: $72,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Albuquerque adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.

Climate Science ROI Calculator for Albuquerque

Estimate your return on investment for a Climate Science degree using local Albuquerque tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $4,872 | Private avg: $14,580

Albuquerque avg aid: $13,246/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$74,808

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$41,070

vs HS diploma in Albuquerque

ROI Payback Period

1.8 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Albuquerque

$36,192

Lifetime earnings premium ($111,000) minus total education cost ($74,808)

Student Loan Payoff for Climate Science in Albuquerque

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$74,808
Monthly Payment$849
Total Interest$27,124
% of Monthly Income13%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$74,808
Monthly Payment$1,464
Total Interest$13,014
Interest Savings$14,109

Colleges in Albuquerque for Climate Science

University of New Mexico

public

$8,064/yr

$32,256 total

National American University

private

$14,580/yr

$58,320 total

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

public

$1,680/yr

$6,720 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Central New Mexico Community College

$1,848/yr

Top Employers for Climate Science in Albuquerque

Albuquerque offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Climate Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

NOAANASAEPAClimate Analytics

Key Albuquerque Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Climate Science Job Titles

Climate ScientistEnvironmental AnalystResearch Scientist

Climate Science Degree in Albuquerque — 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 Climate Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Albuquerque.

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