Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Nebraska at Omaha

The small sample size here demands caution, but the available data suggests UNO's natural resources program lags slightly behind comparable options within Nebraska. Graduates earn $32,284 in their first year—below both the state median ($32,899) and the flagship Lincoln campus ($33,514). At 40th percentile statewide, this program lands squarely in the bottom half among Nebraska's five schools offering this degree.

The more encouraging story emerges over time: earnings jump 49% by year four to reach $48,074, substantially outpacing the typical trajectory for this field. The debt load of $22,639 is manageable, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 that most graduates should be able to handle. However, that first-year figure remains concerning—it's difficult to service even moderate debt on just over $32,000 annually, especially in the early career phase when other living expenses strain tight budgets.

For Nebraska families comparing in-state options, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln appears to offer a modestly better starting point for roughly similar debt. The caveat is that this UNO data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary considerably from these medians. If your student has strong reasons to prefer Omaha's campus or career network, the eventual earnings growth could justify the choice—just plan for a financially tight first couple of years post-graduation.