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Pharmacy Degree in Las Cruces, NM — Salary & ROI 2026

Pharmacy 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

$154K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.8 yrs

in Las Cruces

Cost of Living

123

index (100 = avg)

Pharmacy in Las Cruces, NM Overview

Las Cruces, New Mexico (pop. 111,385) has 12 colleges offering Pharmacy 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 Pharmacy has been declining, graduates with skills in Pharmacology and Drug Interactions remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Las Cruces is approximately $61,500, growing to $153,750 by mid-career.

Category

Healthcare

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%

Pharmacy Salary in Las Cruces (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Las Cruces's cost of living index of 123 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,500(+$11,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$153,750(+$28,750 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$172,200(+$32,200 vs national)

Note: National average Pharmacy salary: $50,000 starting, $125,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Las Cruces adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.

Pharmacy ROI Calculator for Las Cruces

Estimate your return on investment for a Pharmacy 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

$1,061,076

Lifetime earnings premium ($1,168,500) minus total education cost ($107,424)

Student Loan Payoff for Pharmacy in Las Cruces

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$107,424
Monthly Payment$1,220
Total Interest$38,949
% of Monthly Income24%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$107,424
Monthly Payment$2,102
Total Interest$18,688
Interest Savings$20,261

Colleges in Las Cruces for Pharmacy

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 Pharmacy in Las Cruces

Las Cruces offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Pharmacy graduates. National top employers in this field include:

CVS HealthWalgreensHospitalsRite AidCostco

Key Las Cruces Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Pharmacy Job Titles

PharmacistClinical PharmacistPharmacy Manager

Pharmacy 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 Pharmacy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Las Cruces.

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