Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Barnard College

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,622/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #151 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs

Program Analysis

While a conservation degree might seem out of place in Manhattan, your Barnard education positions you for the policy and corporate side of the field, not fieldwork in a national park. The strong earnings reflect access to New York’s concentration of environmental NGOs, corporate sustainability departments, and urban planning consultancies. You'll be competing for roles that value the analytical and communication skills honed in a rigorous liberal arts environment. The Barnard/Columbia network is a powerful asset, opening doors to influential organizations where you can shape environmental strategy and compliance from within major cities. To maximize this, your key task is to aggressively pursue internships with these urban-based environmental players; your summer experiences will be far more critical than for students at traditional land-grant universities.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Natural Resources & Conservation Research graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $491K $491K $461K
Earnings Multiple 1.9x 1.9x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,984
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$157,012
41% less than sticker · See by income

About Barnard College

Barnard College admits 8% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a compact campus enrolling 3,219 students in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,012 over four years — 41% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Barnard College →

Top Career Paths

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary $87,710/yr
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health $80,060/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Other Schools

Other Majors at Barnard College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 32/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Barnard College?
At 32/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Natural Resources & Conservation Research programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Barnard College?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →