Only 20 colleges in the country offer Natural Resources and Conservation, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $48,754.
Natural Resources and Conservation is a focused area of study within Natural Resources. Graduates typically earn around $48,754 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 20 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 150 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Natural Resources and Conservation graduates earn $48,754 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,655 and $68,375. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $34,422 climbs to $48,754 by year four.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
There is a moderate earnings spread across Natural Resources and Conservation graduates. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $48,754 and an estimated $75,908 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 4.0 years.
Based on outcomes from 17 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Of the 150 students who complete Natural Resources and Conservation programs each year, the majority (48%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
Natural Resources and Conservation connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Economist leads at $124,720/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Only 8 colleges had enough verified data to appear here. Sorted by Natural Resources and Conservation graduate volume, not selectivity.
| # | College | Graduates | Acceptance | Net Price/yr | Earnings 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | 47 | 60.6% | $32,875 | $63,435 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public | 35 | 59.7% | $22,383 | $71,631 |
| 3 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR · Public | 21 | 77.3% | $19,604 | $64,010 |
| 4 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS · Public | 13 | 81.7% | $19,406 | $57,262 |
| 5 | The University of Montana Missoula, MT · Public | 11 | 95.9% | $16,784 | $44,511 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI · Public | 4 | 89.4% | $16,032 | $61,760 |
| 7 | Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute Albuquerque, NM · Public | 4 | Open | $5,181 | $27,660 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania State University-World Campus University Park, PA · Public | 3 | 91.2% | $19,550 | $63,435 |
Ranked by Natural Resources and Conservation graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Natural Resources and Conservation program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.
See if a Natural Resources and Conservation degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Natural Resources and Conservation carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 3 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Scout uses AI and can make mistakes. Verify important numbers on the page.
