Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Wisconsin-Stout

The small sample size here is critical—with under 30 graduates, a few career paths can skew the numbers dramatically. That said, the debt picture is genuinely strong: $27,000 puts UW-Stout in the 5th percentile nationally for Natural Resources programs, meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with more debt. Combined with an 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates can realistically manage their loans on conservation sector salaries.

The earnings tell a more complicated story. At $31,128, first-year income trails both the national median ($34,000) and sits below middle-of-the-pack among Wisconsin's 22 programs offering this degree. UW-Whitewater grads earn $4,500 more annually right out of the gate. However, conservation careers often involve entry-level positions with government agencies or nonprofits before advancing—early earnings don't always predict long-term trajectories in this field.

For families worried about affordability, the low debt load matters more than the earnings gap. Your child won't be house-poor paying off loans while building a conservation career. Just recognize that with limited data, one cohort's experience may not reflect the next. If your student is passionate about natural resources work and values UW-Stout's hands-on approach, the manageable debt makes this feasible—but they should have realistic expectations about entry-level pay in environmental fields.