Natural Resources Management and Policy at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

UNH graduates in this program start modestly at $42,000 but see their earnings nearly double to $71,000 within four years—one of the strongest growth trajectories you'll find among environmental programs. That kind of jump suggests graduates are gaining valuable credentials or moving into management roles that command significantly higher salaries. The program outperforms three-quarters of similar natural resources programs nationally, and with debt around $27,000, students are borrowing less than the national norm while earning more.

The first-year salary isn't impressive on its own, but context matters here. Many natural resources careers start with field positions or seasonal work before graduates move into more specialized roles. The 70% earnings jump by year four indicates this pathway works—graduates aren't stuck at entry level. For an accessible program at a school with an 87% admission rate, these outcomes are notably strong.

The main consideration: can your family manage that initial year or two of modest earnings? If your student can weather lower starting pay—perhaps with parental support or minimal living expenses—the trajectory looks solid. This isn't a path to instant financial returns, but by their mid-twenties, graduates are earning well above the national average for this field with manageable debt.