Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook's Natural Resources Conservation program shows a dramatic earnings trajectory that's hard to interpret given the very small sample size. First-year earnings of $24,336 rank near the bottom nationally (5th percentile) and well below New York's median, but by year four, graduates reach $51,556—exceeding both the state median and the highest-earning comparable program in New York. This 112% earnings growth suggests graduates may start in internships or seasonal positions before transitioning to professional roles.

The debt picture looks favorable: $16,277 is roughly $7,000 below both state and national medians for this program, making the initial low earnings more manageable during what appears to be a transition period. However, the small cohort size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with just a few different career outcomes. One graduate landing a high-paying environmental consulting job could inflate the median, while another taking a nonprofit role could drag it down.

For parents, the key question is whether your child can weather that difficult first year—though at a SUNY school with relatively low debt, the financial risk is contained. If the year-four earnings hold true, this program eventually delivers strong returns. But given the tiny sample and unusual earnings pattern, request placement data directly from the department to understand typical entry-level positions before committing.