This article provides an in-depth analysis of the economic returns to tertiary education in the states of New York and New Mexico, utilizing the Mincerian Function to evaluate the impact of educational attainment on earnings. Both Augmented model and Category model are applied. The analysis reveals significant differences between the two states . In New Mexico, a steady and consistent increase in earnings is observed as education levels rise, reflecting a uniform benefit from higher education. In contrast, New York demonstrates a more complex pattern, with a pronounced distinction between Associate and Bachelor degrees and a notable decrease in earnings for individuals holding Doctoral degrees compared to those with Professional degrees. These findings underscore the varying economic value of educational credentials across different regions, highlighting the importance of localized studies in understanding the returns to education. The study also suggests that while higher education generally results in higher earnings, the specific economic context and the type of degree obtained play critical roles in determining the actual financial benefits.