Physical Education Degree in Albuquerque, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Physical 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
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Albuquerque
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Physical 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. Physical Education enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Motor Development and Sports Coaching. 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%
Physical Education Salary in Albuquerque (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Albuquerque's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Physical Education salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $60,000 senior level.Albuquerque adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Physical Education ROI Calculator for Albuquerque
Estimate your return on investment for a Physical 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
$202,692
Lifetime earnings premium ($277,500) minus total education cost ($74,808)
Student Loan Payoff for Physical Education in Albuquerque
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Albuquerque for Physical 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 Physical Education in Albuquerque
Albuquerque offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Physical 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 Physical Education Job Titles
Physical 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
Elementary Education
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Physical 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 Physical Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Albuquerque.