Early Childhood Education Degree in Las Cruces, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Las Cruces, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$55K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Las Cruces
Cost of Living
123
index (100 = avg)
Early Childhood Education in Las Cruces, NM Overview
Las Cruces, New Mexico (pop. 111,385) has 12 colleges offering Early Childhood Education programs. The local cost of living index of 123 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,443/month. Early Childhood Education enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Child Development and Play-Based Learning. The adjusted starting salary in Las Cruces is approximately $61,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$7,554/yr
Private Tuition
$45,711/yr
Room & Board
$19,302/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,870/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
60%
Early Childhood Education Salary in Las Cruces (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Las Cruces's cost of living index of 123 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Las Cruces adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Las Cruces
Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Las Cruces tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,554 | Private avg: $45,711
Las Cruces avg aid: $11,870/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,450
vs HS diploma in Las Cruces
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Las Cruces
$113,976
Lifetime earnings premium ($221,400) minus total education cost ($107,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Las Cruces
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Las Cruces for Early Childhood Education
New Mexico State University
public
$7,554/yr
$30,216 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dona Ana Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Las Cruces
Las Cruces offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Las Cruces Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Education Majors in Las Cruces
Instructional Design & Technology
$62K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$62K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$62K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$62K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$62K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$62K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$62K starting · 5 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education Degree in Las Cruces — 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 Early Childhood Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Las Cruces.