Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Plymouth State University

Plymouth State's natural resources program starts with below-market earnings but demonstrates something more valuable: real career momentum. Graduates earn $31,836 initially—trailing both state and national medians—but see 45% growth to $46,173 by year four. That trajectory eventually surpasses even Dartmouth's early numbers and suggests this program builds practical skills that employers increasingly value over time.

The debt picture is genuinely excellent. At $27,000, borrowing sits in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt. Combined with that strong earnings growth, the financial risk here is manageable. Within four years, the debt-to-earnings ratio drops to highly favorable levels. Among New Hampshire's nine programs in this field, Plymouth performs slightly below the middle of the pack initially, but the growth pattern matters more for long-term outcomes.

The real consideration is whether your child can handle those early years on $32,000—likely in rural or entry-level conservation positions. If they're prepared for a modest start in exchange for building toward solid mid-career earnings, this represents a smart investment. The combination of low debt and strong growth potential makes this one of the safer bets in environmental fields, even if it doesn't deliver immediate returns.