Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's Wildlife and Wildlands Science program puts graduates at a significant earnings disadvantage, both statewide and nationally. First-year earnings of $26,549 fall $5,650 below Missouri's median for this degree—meaning you'd earn nearly 20% less than graduates from the state's other wildlife programs. That gap widens further when you compare to Northwest Missouri State, where graduates start at $36,758, earning $10,000 more annually in the same field. With debt of $23,937, the financial picture is manageable but not compelling: you'll owe nearly a full year's salary, and these earnings typically remain modest for years after graduation.

The broader wildlife management field presents inherent economic challenges—national median earnings hover just under $29,000—but this program underperforms even those limited benchmarks, landing at the 25th percentile nationally. For context, Missouri State admits over 90% of applicants and serves primarily regional students, which may explain why outcomes lag behind more competitive programs in the state.

If your child is committed to wildlife management specifically, consider whether Northwest Missouri State or even Missouri Western are realistic alternatives. Otherwise, understand this degree means accepting below-average earnings in an already modest-paying field, with debt that will take several years of disciplined repayment to clear. The passion for working with wildlife needs to outweigh the financial limitations, because the numbers alone don't justify the investment.