Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky's wildlife program lands graduates $25,492 in their first year—about $3,000 below even the modest national median for this field. That 20th percentile national ranking tells you this program struggles to connect students with the better-paying wildlife jobs, though it's worth noting there are only two Kentucky schools offering this degree, so the 40th state percentile is less meaningful. Murray State's graduates earn $3,000 more right out of the gate.

The positive spin here is meaningful earnings growth: graduates see income jump 44% to $36,641 by year four, which matters in a field where entry-level positions often pay poorly while experience counts. The debt load of $19,224 is actually below the national average for this major, giving graduates more breathing room than peers elsewhere. Still, that first-year salary barely crosses $25,000, which makes loan repayment challenging even with relatively modest debt.

For families committed to wildlife careers, this program won't saddle graduates with crushing debt, and the earnings trajectory improves substantially. But if your child is wildlife-curious rather than wildlife-committed, understand they're looking at near-poverty wages initially in a program that ranks in the bottom fifth nationally. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual career choices heavily influence these numbers, but the pattern suggests career advancement matters more here than the degree itself.