Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Minnesota-Duluth

UMN-Duluth graduates in this program start behind—earning about $2,000 less than the Minnesota median and landing below middle-of-the-pack among the state's 22 programs. But that initial gap closes fast: by year four, earnings jump 51% to over $50,000, suggesting graduates develop valuable specialized skills that command better compensation as they gain field experience.

The debt picture is genuinely excellent. At $26,894, it's well below both state and national medians, and the 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary—manageable territory for a conservation field not known for high pay. That low debt matters more than the modest starting salary, especially given how quickly earnings improve. Compare this to top-performing Saint John's University ($44,000 starting), which likely comes with significantly higher tuition costs that could eat into any salary advantage.

For families comfortable with a lower initial paycheck while their graduate gains traction, this represents solid value. The combination of accessible debt and strong earnings trajectory means students can build careers in conservation work without the financial strain that often forces people out of environmental fields. Just understand that first year will be lean, and this isn't the path to the highest earnings among Minnesota's conservation programs.