Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Purdue University Global

Purdue Global's Natural Resources Conservation program shows remarkably high first-year earnings—$48,361 puts it at the 95th percentile nationally and beats Purdue's main campus by nearly $10,000. That's an impressive start, especially for a field where the national median sits at just $34,000. Among Indiana's 24 programs in this field, it ranks in the 80th percentile, well ahead of most state options.

The concerning part is what happens next. Earnings drop to $44,508 by year four, an 8% decline that's unusual for bachelor's programs. Meanwhile, graduates carry $55,306 in debt—more than double both the national and state medians for this field. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.14, meaning you'd owe more than you earn in your first year. The heavy debt burden might reflect Purdue Global's online model, which typically has higher costs than traditional public university rates.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few different outcomes. Still, the pattern suggests graduates may be landing relatively well-paid first jobs but not seeing the career progression you'd expect. For families borrowing near $55,000, that's a risky bet—especially when Purdue's main campus delivers similar outcomes with presumably more traditional debt levels. Unless your child has specific circumstances requiring Purdue Global's flexibility, the main campus offers a safer path to similar results.