Elementary Education Degree in Albuquerque, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Albuquerque, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Albuquerque
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education 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. Although national enrollment in Elementary Education has been declining, graduates with skills in Lesson Planning and Classroom Management remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Albuquerque is approximately $55,500.
Category
Education
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%
Elementary Education Salary in Albuquerque (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Albuquerque's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Albuquerque adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Albuquerque
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education 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
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Albuquerque
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Albuquerque
$235,992
Lifetime earnings premium ($310,800) minus total education cost ($74,808)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Albuquerque
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Albuquerque for Elementary Education
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 Elementary Education in Albuquerque
Albuquerque offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Albuquerque Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Education Majors in Albuquerque
Instructional Design & Technology
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$56K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education 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 Elementary Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Albuquerque.