New Mexico Graduates See Strong Returns, San Juan College Benefits

The 2025 State Opportunity Index, released by the Strada Education Foundation, places New Mexico among the national leaders in education to employment outcomes. The study reports that roughly 70 percent of New Mexico college graduates achieve a positive return on investment over a 10 year period. That metric counts graduates who both outearn comparable workers with only a high school diploma and whose 10 year earnings exceed the cost of their degree.

New Mexico is one of 14 states where more than 70 percent of graduates reach that benchmark, joining Alaska, Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Washington. National outcomes range from 53 percent to 82 percent on this measure, placing New Mexico solidly toward the upper tier.

State policy choices figure prominently in the results. New Mexico Higher Education Department Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez pointed to the Opportunity Scholarship and affordability at two year colleges as contributing factors. “We are gratified when the metrics reflect that we’re heading in the right direction, but we want to continue showing that New Mexico can and will lead the way in high quality, accessible higher education with family sustaining wages right here at home,” Rodriguez said.

Locally, San Juan College was highlighted through commencement activity and campus imagery that linked regional graduates to the statewide findings. For San Juan County residents the implications are concrete. Stronger graduate earnings support household stability, increase local consumer demand, and broaden the tax base that funds public services. The outcomes also bolster the college’s role as a pipeline to skilled employment for area employers in health, trades, energy and public services.

Policy choices remain central. Maintaining and expanding tuition support for students taking at least six credits, sustaining affordability at the community college level, and strengthening employer partnerships will influence whether the positive trend continues. County leaders and college officials will need to monitor equity in outcomes and track debt burdens alongside earnings to ensure gains reach rural and Native populations in the county.

As New Mexico markets its progress on education to employment pathways, San Juan County faces opportunities to translate statewide gains into durable local economic growth and broader civic stability.