Landscape Architecture at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

UMass-Amherst's landscape architecture program lands squarely in the middle of Massachusetts outcomes at $46,163 first-year earnings, though this trails the national median by about $6,700. The estimated debt of $25,735—based on typical borrowing levels across UMass programs—creates a manageable 0.56 ratio to first-year income. That's considerably better than many design fields, where debt often equals or exceeds annual starting pay. The challenge is that nationally, most landscape architecture bachelor's programs cluster between $52,000-$55,000 in starting earnings, meaning UMass graduates appear to enter at a lower point on the salary scale.

What complicates this picture is Massachusetts' small landscape architecture market—only three schools offer the program statewide. That limited competition could work in graduates' favor if local firms develop recruiting relationships with UMass, but it also means fewer benchmark points to gauge whether these estimates reflect actual graduate outcomes. Landscape architecture often requires licensure after gaining work experience, so first-year figures may not capture the field's full earning potential once professionals complete their credentials.

The combination of moderate debt and middle-tier earnings suggests reasonable financial footing, particularly if your student has strong interest in this specific design field. However, the lower national ranking and estimation uncertainty mean you should verify typical career paths and salary progression with the program directly before committing.