Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Colby College

Colby's environmental graduates start at $28,000—below both the state median ($34,465) and the national average—ranking in just the 25th percentile among Maine programs. That's roughly $11,000 less than University of Maine graduates earn in the same field. However, the earnings trajectory tells a more optimistic story: incomes jump 58% by year four to nearly $45,000, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in conservation careers that reward experience over immediate post-graduation placement.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $19,313, borrowing sits well below both state ($26,500) and national ($23,010) medians, meaning the initial earnings gap doesn't translate into crushing loan burdens. Still, with state peers like UMaine and Bates delivering significantly stronger first-year outcomes, families should understand they're banking on that delayed earnings growth rather than immediate returns.

For students genuinely committed to conservation work—where entry positions notoriously pay little but career progression can be meaningful—this pattern isn't necessarily alarming. But the premium Colby commands doesn't show up in these outcomes. If your child can attend a state school like UMaine at lower cost with better starting salaries, that's a stronger financial foundation for building the same career.