Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Roger Williams University

Roger Williams University's Natural Resources Conservation program sits in an unusual position: it significantly outperforms the national benchmark ($39,869 versus $33,988 starting), yet lands near the middle of Rhode Island's small cluster of similar programs. That 79th percentile national ranking sounds impressive, but in Rhode Island's competitive environmental education landscape, graduates here start slightly below the state median of $40,067.

The silver lining is trajectory. Earnings jump 30% to $51,640 by year four—meaningful growth in a field not always known for rapid salary increases. The $26,000 debt load translates to a manageable 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below concerning thresholds. For context, this program carries slightly more debt than Rhode Island's median for the field but far less than what's typical nationally.

The critical caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them inherently volatile. A few high earners or career changers could skew the data considerably. If your child is genuinely committed to conservation work—and willing to accept that starting salaries in this field rarely break $40,000—this program won't bury them in debt. Just recognize they'll likely earn similar amounts at URI or Rhode Island College, potentially with lower tuition as state residents. The decision should hinge on fit and campus resources rather than expected salary advantages.