Health Sciences at Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Associate Degree · Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General

with a mid-sized student body of 15,246 in Albuquerque, NM.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,933 place Central New Mexico Community College below the $36,234 national median for Health Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 126.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Health Sciences programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 43% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Health Sciences graduates.

With first-year pay of $28,933 far exceeding the $7,083 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #8 of 48 nationally, this is a top-5% Health Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $50,448 show a 74% jump from the $28,933 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

There are 3 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Health Sciences, including Community Health Worker (median $63,000/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
56
Score
58
High End
Earnings $28,933/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (57% shielded)
Job Market Medium (15,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$508K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
131.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$3,868
Out-of-state: $16,732
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,083
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,448
74% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Health Sciences graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health education specialists $63,000 +4.5% 47%
Community health workers $51,030 +11.3% 68%
Health education specialists
$63,000
+4.5% growth 47% AI-proof
Community health workers
$51,030
+11.3% growth 68% AI-proof

Health Sciences Career Guide

Explore what Health Sciences graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 48 programs nationwide.

Read the full Health Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Health Sciences Overview

Health Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Central New Mexico Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Central New Mexico Community College's Health Sciences program score?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Health Sciences field.
Should I worry about AI if I study Health Sciences at Central New Mexico Community College?
With 43% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $302,704 in decade earnings vs $507,739 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Health Sciences at Central New Mexico Community College?
At $7,083 in median debt, Health Sciences graduates from Central New Mexico Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Central New Mexico Community College one of the best schools for Health Sciences?
Among 48 Health Sciences programs, Central New Mexico Community College's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is Central New Mexico Community College a good choice for Health Sciences despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Central New Mexico Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Health Sciences program at Central New Mexico Community College?
There are 3 registered apprenticeships connected to Health Sciences occupations, such as Community Health Worker and Community Health Worker. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →