Economics Degree in Albuquerque, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Economics degree analysis for Albuquerque, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$72K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$111K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.2 yrs
in Albuquerque
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Economics 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. Economics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Econometrics and Statistical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Albuquerque is approximately $72,150, growing to $111,000 by mid-career.
Category
Business
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%
Economics Salary in Albuquerque (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Albuquerque's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Economics salary: $65,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Albuquerque adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Economics ROI Calculator for Albuquerque
Estimate your return on investment for a Economics 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
$33,300
vs HS diploma in Albuquerque
ROI Payback Period
2.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Albuquerque
$868,692
Lifetime earnings premium ($943,500) minus total education cost ($74,808)
Student Loan Payoff for Economics in Albuquerque
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Albuquerque for Economics
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 Economics in Albuquerque
Albuquerque offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Economics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Albuquerque Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Economics Job Titles
Economics in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Business Majors in Albuquerque
Business Analytics
$87K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$78K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Information Systems
$56K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$56K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$69K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$56K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$64K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Economics 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 Economics ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Albuquerque.