Elementary Education Degree in Las Cruces, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary 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
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Las Cruces
Cost of Living
123
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Las Cruces, NM Overview
Las Cruces, New Mexico (pop. 111,385) has 12 colleges offering Elementary 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. 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 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%
Elementary 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 Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Las Cruces adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Las Cruces
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary 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
$236,976
Lifetime earnings premium ($344,400) minus total education cost ($107,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Las Cruces
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Las Cruces for Elementary 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 Elementary Education in Las Cruces
Las Cruces offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary 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 Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary 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
Special Education
$62K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$62K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$62K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$62K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary 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 Elementary Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Las Cruces.