Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Rutgers-New Brunswick's Natural Resources Conservation program outperforms 93% of similar programs nationally—a standout result that places graduates well ahead of typical outcomes in this field. With first-year earnings of $43,223 jumping to $57,743 by year four, the 34% earnings growth demonstrates real career momentum in a field where many programs struggle to reach even $34,000 initially. The $25,706 median debt sits at just 59% of first-year earnings, creating a manageable starting point that improves rapidly as salaries climb.

The state-level picture adds nuance: while Rutgers ties for the highest starting salary among New Jersey's conservation programs, it ranks at the 60th percentile statewide. This isn't cause for concern—it simply reflects that New Jersey hosts several strong programs in this field, and Rutgers competes at the top tier. The debt load is nearly identical to the state median, meaning students aren't paying a premium for access to this stronger earning trajectory.

For families weighing environmental career paths, this program delivers both immediate value and growth potential. The combination of above-national earnings, reasonable debt, and strong upward mobility makes it one of the safer bets in conservation education. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes across cohorts rather than outlier results.