Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science

Paul Smith's College graduates earn $35,979 their first year out—$7,200 more than the national median for wildlife and wildlands programs. That's impressive performance in a field not known for high starting salaries. With debt under $25,000, graduates face manageable monthly payments of roughly $280, representing about 9% of gross income. This is well within the recommended threshold and means graduates can actually pursue conservation careers without immediately needing to pivot to higher-paying alternatives.

The strong national ranking (88th percentile) matters more than the state percentile here, since New York only has two programs offering this degree. What's notable is that even in an accessible program—91% admission rate, serving a significant population of Pell grant recipients—outcomes exceed most comparable schools nationwide. The field itself caps earnings potential, with even top-quartile programs nationally only reaching $32,199, yet Paul Smith's beats that benchmark.

For families concerned about return on investment in environmental fields, this represents a best-case scenario: your graduate can actually work in wildlife management without being crushed by debt. The earning trajectory in conservation careers typically grows with experience and advanced credentials, but starting with less than $25,000 in debt provides the financial flexibility to pursue those paths rather than abandoning the field entirely.