Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of California-Irvine

UC Irvine's Natural Resources Conservation program shows something rare: graduates who start modestly but see their earnings jump 40% by year four, reaching $50,846. That trajectory suggests the degree opens doors that take time to walk through, likely requiring field experience or additional credentials before reaching better-paying positions. Starting at $36,304 puts graduates slightly below the California median for this field, and well behind top performers like Berkeley ($47,338) and Occidental ($49,529), but the strong growth pattern indicates this gap narrows considerably.

The debt picture is notably favorable—$12,477 is less than half what the typical California student in this field carries, putting UC Irvine in the 95th percentile nationally for affordability. That low debt load makes the initial earnings lag less concerning; graduates aren't burdened with heavy payments while building toward better compensation. The selective 26% admission rate suggests access to UC's broader network and research opportunities, which likely contributes to that upward mobility.

For parents, the key question is whether your child can weather those first few years at lower earnings. If they're willing to invest time gaining experience—perhaps in field research, park management, or conservation nonprofits—this program offers a financially sustainable path into environmental careers. The low debt means they won't be forced into higher-paying but less aligned work just to cover loan payments.