Landscape Architecture at University of Rhode Island

Starting near $58,000 in first-year earnings puts URI's landscape architecture graduates well above the national median of $52,841, placing them in the 90th percentile nationally for this major. While the debt figure is estimated from similar URI programs rather than this specific cohort, the approximate $26,000 burden translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44—meaning graduates could reasonably expect to pay off loans within a few years of entering the field.

The concerning element here is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually see income drop to about $55,000 by year four, a 5% decline that's unusual for bachelor's degree holders. This could reflect the nature of landscape architecture careers in Rhode Island, where initial positions might offer competitive starting pay but limited advancement without additional credentials or licensure. It's worth noting that URI is the only institution in Rhode Island offering this program with available data, so there's no local comparison to gauge whether this pattern is field-specific or URI-specific.

The investment calculus depends heavily on your child's commitment to the field. The strong starting salary and modest estimated debt make this viable if they're certain about landscape architecture as a career path. However, the flat-to-declining earnings pattern suggests they should plan for additional credentialing or be prepared to relocate to markets with stronger growth prospects in this profession.