Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Stevenson University

With estimated first-year earnings around $35,600 against $24,300 in debt, this environmental science pathway sits right at Maryland's median for conservation programs—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 that suggests manageable repayment in a field not known for high starting salaries. These figures come from peer programs statewide and nationally since Stevenson's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish outcomes.

What matters here is the spread among Maryland conservation programs. Graduates from University of Maryland-College Park earn $41,000 their first year, while those from Salisbury University start at $28,000. Stevenson's estimated positioning in the middle of this range reflects the reality that in environmental fields, outcomes depend heavily on whether graduates land government positions, nonprofit roles, or private sector jobs—and a smaller program may have fewer established employer pipelines than the state's research universities.

The practical question is whether Stevenson offers distinct advantages—perhaps closer faculty mentorship or specialized fieldwork opportunities—that justify choosing it over larger state programs with reported outcomes. At under $25,000 in debt, this program isn't setting up financial hardship, but parents should verify what career support and employer connections exist beyond the classroom, since those networks often determine which graduates end up in the $40,000+ range versus the $30,000 range in this variable field.