Compare 40 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $43,820. Top programs: $69,799+.
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs produce graduates earning between $20,295 and $69,799—a spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 40 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The data makes a clear case: evaluate the program, not the school name.
Valley City State University's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program leads with graduates earning $70K—well above the $44K field average. That's a small regional public in North Dakota topping larger, better-known universities. Stephen F. Austin State University (#2, $56K) and Auburn University (#3, $54K) further confirm that program-level quality drives outcomes more than school prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Valley City State graduates borrow $20,369 and face just a 5.9% student payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Loan payments take a minimal bite out of post-grad income. When family borrowing is factored in, the combined burden rises to 8.5%—still 'Good'—making Valley City State a standout on both earnings and affordability.
Highest program earnings: $69,799
Strong outcomes ($69,799) with 99% acceptance rate
5.9% payment burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
8.5% family burden | Good — payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $69,799 | 11 | $20,369 | Excellent | $7,744 | Good | |
| #2 | $56,437 | 21 | $23,409 | Good | $18,080 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $54,449 | 35 | $21,000 | Good | $43,605 | High |
| #4 | $50,623 | 34 | $23,250 | Good | $18,000 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $50,171 | 15 | $22,750 | Good | $39,759 | High | |
| #6 | $49,948 | 64 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #7 | Bemidji State UniversityPublic | $49,040 | 33 | $19,750 | Good | $12,173 | Manageable |
| #8 | $48,882 | 56 | $20,500 | Good | $30,610 | High | |
| #9 | $47,496 | 72 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #10 | $47,370 | 26 | $26,814 | Manageable | $36,545 | High | |
| #11 | $47,356 | 11 | $21,500 | Good | $15,803 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $47,003 | 95 | $18,000 | Good | $18,257 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $46,342 | 15 | $19,968 | Good | $11,334 | Challenging | |
| #14 | $46,209 | 100 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $46,171 | 34 | $18,922 | Good | $26,150 | High | |
| #16 | $45,571 | 35 | $22,250 | Manageable | $28,000 | High | |
| #17 | University Of MainePublic | $45,502 | 30 | $25,000 | Manageable | $21,900 | High |
| #18 | $45,445 | 69 | $22,142 | Manageable | $25,567 | High | |
| #19 | $45,348 | 44 | $15,650 | Good | $11,640 | Manageable | |
| #20 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $45,348 | 54 | $22,500 | Manageable | $32,980 | High |
| #21 | $45,212 | 22 | $20,484 | Manageable | $28,364 | High | |
| #22 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $44,818 | 41 | $18,500 | Good | $20,855 | High |
| #23 | $44,272 | 17 | $17,095 | Good | $10,166 | Challenging | |
| #24 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $43,844 | 23 | $20,500 | Manageable | $18,465 | High |
| #25 | $43,286 | 64 | $22,400 | Manageable | $19,000 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
