Location: South Orange, NJ•In-State Tuition: $51,370•Admission Rate: 79%•Avg SAT: 1308
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,919
Est. from NJ median (6 programs)
Median Debt
$26,000
13% above national median

Analysis

A $26,000 debt load for first-year earnings around $37,000 sounds manageable on paper—and compared to many environmental and conservation programs, it is. Seton Hall's graduates would carry debt below the national median for this field while earning slightly above it, based on what similar Natural Resources Conservation programs across New Jersey typically produce. That 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could realistically manage their student loans, even in a field not known for high starting salaries.

The concern is competition. New Jersey's top Natural Resources programs—particularly Rutgers' campuses—report first-year earnings above $43,000, nearly $6,000 more than comparable programs suggest for Seton Hall. That gap matters when you're navigating entry-level positions in conservation, environmental consulting, or park management. Whether Seton Hall's smaller program size and private school network offset that earnings difference is something prospective students need to investigate directly with the department.

For families comfortable with moderate debt and genuinely committed to conservation work, this program falls within reasonable financial bounds for the field. But before committing, your child should talk to recent alumni and compare job placement outcomes against Rutgers and other state schools, where reported data shows stronger earning potential in this already modestly-paid career path.

Where Seton Hall University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all natural resources conservation and research bachelors's programs nationally

Seton Hall University (estimated ±10%)Other natural resources conservation and research programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey

Natural Resources Conservation and Research bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (12 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange$51,370$36,919*—$26,000—
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick$17,239$43,223*$57,743$25,7060.59
Rutgers University-NewarkNewark$16,586$43,223*$57,743$25,7060.59
William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne$15,150$40,613*$55,279——
Stockton UniversityGalloway$15,532$33,224*$39,765$23,2810.70
Rowan UniversityGlassboro$15,700$29,306*$53,125$23,8750.81
National Median—$33,988*—$23,0100.68
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with natural resources conservation and research graduates

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Climate Change Policy Analysts

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Restoration Planners

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Ecologists

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Coroners

Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Seton Hall University, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in NJ. Actual outcomes may vary.