Location: Hanover, NH•In-State Tuition: $65,739•Admission Rate: 6%•Avg SAT: 1533
2026 ROI Award Winner
#4 Natural Resources & Conservation
Median Earnings (1yr)
$47,671
95th percentile
80th percentile in New Hampshire
Median Debt
$15,078
34% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.32 ManageableSample: 36 graduates

Analysis

Dartmouth's Natural Resources Conservation program delivers something rare in environmental fields: Ivy League preparation that translates into measurably stronger earnings. At $47,671 in first-year earnings, graduates earn 40% more than the national median for this major and stand out even in New Hampshire, where they're outearning every other program in the state except Southern New Hampshire.

The debt picture makes this particularly compelling. While most natural resources graduates nationally carry $23,010 in loans, Dartmouth students leave with just $15,078—producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 that's among the best in the field. You're getting premium career outcomes without the punishing debt load that typically accompanies elite private education. That low borrowing likely reflects both Dartmouth's strong financial aid (though only 15% of students receive Pell grants) and the program's relatively small size.

The practical tradeoff: environmental careers rarely lead to six-figure salaries, even from top schools. If your child is passionate about conservation work, Dartmouth provides the strongest possible launch with minimal debt burden. But if they're considering this major primarily for career flexibility, they should understand they're entering a field where $47,000 represents an excellent starting point, not a stepping stone to rapid salary growth.

Where Dartmouth College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all natural resources conservation and research bachelors's programs nationally

Dartmouth CollegeOther natural resources conservation and research programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Dartmouth College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Dartmouth College earns $48k — 95th percentile among natural resources conservation and research bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in New Hampshire

Natural Resources Conservation and Research bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Hampshire (9 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Dartmouth CollegeHanover$65,739$47,671—$15,0780.32
Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester$16,450$43,868$64,484$32,2560.74
University of New Hampshire-Main CampusDurham$19,112$37,286$46,896$26,7500.72
Keene State CollegeKeene$14,710$36,423$46,421$23,3600.64
Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth$14,558$31,836$46,173$27,0000.85
National Median—$33,988—$23,0100.68

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with natural resources conservation and research graduates

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Climate Change Policy Analysts

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Restoration Planners

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Ecologists

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Coroners

Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Dartmouth College, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 36 graduates with reported earnings and 28 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.