Landscape Architecture at University of Georgia

University of Georgia graduates from this landscape architecture program with manageable debt and earnings that place them ahead of three-quarters of similar programs nationwide. Starting at nearly $55,000 with just $27,000 in debt—a 0.49 ratio that's well below concerning thresholds—graduates see steady income growth to over $60,000 by year four. This combination of below-median debt and above-median earnings creates a solid financial foundation, particularly for a creative field where passion often comes at the cost of practicality.

The real story here is trajectory. While landscape architecture isn't the highest-paying design field, UGA's program delivers earnings that beat 75% of competitors nationally while keeping debt 25% lower than typical. That $27,000 debt load means graduates aren't trapped by payments when considering job offers—they can pursue opportunities that align with their design interests rather than just chasing salaries. The 10% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests graduates gain market value as they build portfolios and professional networks.

For families concerned about return on investment in a design field, this program threads the needle effectively. It's selective enough to signal quality (37% admission rate) without being a financial gamble. Graduates leave positioned to succeed in both traditional landscape architecture firms and adjacent fields like urban planning or environmental design, all without the debt burden that might force them into purely corporate roles.