Home › Bates College › Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Bates College

Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $38,437/yr (11% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 2.2x earnings multiple

Ranked #199 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$554K	$547K	$504K
Earnings Multiple	2.2x	2.2x	2.0x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	26	26	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$253,912

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$122,812

52% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$9,614

3.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$56,602

47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,437/yr, edging above the $34,545 national average for Natural Resources Conservation and Research — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 2.2x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Natural Resources Conservation and Research's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,614 in median debt against $38,437 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #199 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs, Bates College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $38,437 to $56,602 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Bates College

Bates College admits 13% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a smaller institution with 1,753 students in Lewiston, ME. The average net cost of $122,812 over four years represents a 52% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bates 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 and Research at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bates College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Bates College?

A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Natural Resources Conservation and Research careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $503,529 in decade earnings vs $554,091 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Bates College a hidden gem for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?

After financial aid, the average student pays $122,812 over four years — 52% below the $253,912 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →