Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at University of Georgia

UGA's Wildlife and Wildlands program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground. First-year graduates earn just $22,354—placing this program in the 5th percentile nationally for wildlife degrees, where the national median starts at $28,748. With $25,154 in debt, new graduates face payments while earning less than many retail managers. The concerning part isn't just the low starting point; it's that UGA is the *only* school in Georgia offering this degree, so there's no in-state alternative if wildlife science is the goal.

The silver lining is meaningful earnings growth. By year four, graduates reach $35,854—a 60% jump that suggests career progression is possible for those who stick with the field. However, this still trails the national picture for wildlife programs, where graduates at better-performing schools start closer to where UGA's finish. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) indicates this isn't a fluke from one or two outlier careers.

For families considering this path: recognize you're betting on patience and passion rather than immediate financial stability. If your student is set on wildlife science and wants to stay in Georgia, UGA is the only game in town. But if they're flexible on either the specific field or location, other environmental science programs offer stronger starting salaries. The degree leads somewhere eventually, but the first few years will be financially tight.