Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Dartmouth College

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.