Exercise Science Degree in Rio Rancho, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Exercise Science degree analysis for Rio Rancho, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$54K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Rio Rancho
Cost of Living
93.8
index (100 = avg)
Exercise Science in Rio Rancho, NM Overview
While Rio Rancho has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Exercise Science students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $13,400/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Exercise Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Exercise Prescription and Fitness Testing. The adjusted starting salary in Rio Rancho is approximately $46,900.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$7,700/yr
Private Tuition
$20,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,400/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,427/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
48%
Exercise Science Salary in Rio Rancho (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rio Rancho's cost of living index of 93.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Exercise Science salary: $50,000 starting, $58,000 mid-career, $72,000 senior level.Rio Rancho adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Exercise Science ROI Calculator for Rio Rancho
Estimate your return on investment for a Exercise Science degree using local Rio Rancho tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,700 | Private avg: $20,000
Rio Rancho avg aid: $13,427/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$84,400
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,070
vs HS diploma in Rio Rancho
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rio Rancho
$150,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($234,500) minus total education cost ($84,400)
Student Loan Payoff for Exercise Science in Rio Rancho
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rio Rancho for Exercise Science
Rio Rancho State University
public
$7,689/yr
$30,756 total
University of Rio Rancho
public
$7,258/yr
$29,032 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Rancho Community College
$5,103/yr
Top Employers for Exercise Science in Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Exercise Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rio Rancho Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Exercise Science Job Titles
Exercise Science in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Healthcare Majors in Rio Rancho
Pharmacy
$47K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$47K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$64K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$47K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$47K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$47K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$47K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$47K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Exercise Science Degree in Rio Rancho — 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 Exercise Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Rio Rancho.