Location: Medford, MA•In-State Tuition: $67,844•Admission Rate: 10%•Avg SAT: 1513
Median Earnings (1yr)
$40,044
80th percentile
60th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Debt
$18,050
22% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.45 ManageableSample: 28 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Tufts' Natural Resources Conservation program carries significant uncertainty given its small graduating class (under 30 students), but the available data reveals a complicated value equation. While graduates earn about $6,000 more than the national median and carry roughly $5,000 less debt than typical programs, that $40,044 starting salary feels thin for a school with Tufts' selectivity and price tag. Within Massachusetts, this ranks middle-of-the-pack—well behind what conservation graduates earn at UMass-Lowell ($45,215) and nowhere near the premium commanded by Northeastern's program.

The debt picture looks manageable at first glance, with a 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio suggesting graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. However, this likely reflects strong financial aid rather than genuinely affordable tuition. For families not qualifying for substantial aid, the full cost of attending Tufts could dramatically change this calculation. Conservation and environmental fields are notoriously modest-paying early on, and $40,000 doesn't leave much cushion for loan payments if your student borrows heavily.

If your child is passionate about conservation work and receives generous aid, this could work—Tufts offers excellent networking and graduate school preparation. But if you're paying near sticker price, understand you're primarily investing in the institution's prestige and connections, not salary momentum in this particular field. Those connections may matter enormously for competitive environmental jobs or graduate programs, but the payoff won't show up in year-one earnings.

Where Tufts University Stands

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

Tufts UniversityOther natural resources conservation and research programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Tufts University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Tufts University earns $40k — 80th percentile among natural resources conservation and research bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Natural Resources Conservation and Research bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (37 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Tufts UniversityMedford$67,844$40,044—$18,0500.45
Bentley UniversityWaltham$58,150$68,600—$27,0000.39
Northeastern UniversityBoston$63,141$51,137$50,604$23,4300.46
Massachusetts Maritime AcademyBuzzards Bay$10,816$50,931$64,846$26,0000.51
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill$67,680$49,111—$17,2000.35
University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell$16,570$45,215—$27,0000.60
National Median—$33,988—$23,0100.68

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 Tufts University, approximately 12% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 28 graduates with reported earnings and 26 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.