Compare 14 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. programs in the South. Average earnings: $38,613.
With top graduates earning $51,550, Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $13K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Stephen F Austin State University leads with Wildlife and Wildlands Science graduates earning $51,550, well above the $38,613 average across 14 programs. Auburn University follows at $45,966, while Tennessee-Knoxville reaches $44,973. The data shows regional publics competing effectively in this specialized field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Tennessee Technological University graduates borrow $15,650 and face just a 10.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That's a 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates can manage their loans with minimal impact on their budget.
Highest program earnings: $51,550
Strong outcomes with 88% acceptance
10.6% payment burden | Good
19.6% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $51,550 | 22 | $23,409 | Good | $18,080 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $45,966 | 38 | $21,000 | Manageable | $43,605 | High |
| #3 | $44,973 | 30 | $20,500 | Manageable | $30,610 | High | |
| #4 | $42,869 | 35 | $15,650 | Good | $11,640 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $41,837 | 55 | $22,142 | Manageable | $25,567 | High | |
| #6 | $41,679 | 57 | $21,500 | Manageable | $35,325 | High | |
| #7 | University Of DelawarePublic | $40,710 | 34 | $24,572 | Challenging | $43,000 | High |
| #8 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $37,268 | 58 | $22,500 | Challenging | $32,980 | High |
| #9 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $37,074 | 35 | $24,500 | Challenging | $16,398 | High |
| #10 | $36,641 | 16 | $22,500 | Challenging | $14,685 | High | |
| #11 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $35,854 | 47 | $18,500 | Challenging | $20,855 | High |
| #12 | University Of FloridaPublic | $35,117 | 49 | $15,000 | Manageable | $18,837 | High |
| #13 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $28,751 | 21 | $20,500 | High | $18,465 | High |
| #14 | $20,295 | 33 | $20,500 | High | $15,265 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
