Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University charges nearly 40% more debt than the national median for Natural Resources Conservation programs, yet delivers earnings that put graduates in the 95th percentile nationally. That unusual combination—higher debt paired with significantly stronger outcomes—defines this program's value proposition. After four years, graduates see a 47% jump in earnings to $64,484, well above both national and state medians, though it's worth noting SNHU ranks in the middle of New Hampshire programs for this field, trailing Dartmouth's outcomes by about 16%.

The debt burden of $32,256 translates to a 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio, which means graduates can reasonably manage repayment even with the first-year salary of $43,868. For context, many SNHU students come from lower-income backgrounds (47% receive Pell grants), and this program appears to deliver genuine mobility despite the higher borrowing. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates reinforces confidence in these numbers.

The key question is whether the premium debt is worth it when University of New Hampshire delivers similar first-year outcomes at lower cost. The answer likely depends on SNHU's accessibility—its 96% acceptance rate means students who might not gain admission elsewhere can still access strong environmental career pathways. If your child has options at UNH or other state schools, compare net prices carefully. But if SNHU is the most realistic path to this field, the earnings trajectory suggests the investment pays off.