Natural Resources Conservation and Research at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,758/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #31 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 25%

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 $583K $572K $523K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.1x 17.7x 16.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.2x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,256
Out-of-state: $79,776 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,352
-84% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,420
73% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,758/yr, roughly in line with the $34,545 national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs nationally.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $33,758 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #31 of 256 nationally, this is a top-5% Natural Resources Conservation and Research program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $58,420 show a 73% jump from the $33,758 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Chico

California State University-Chico accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 13,057 students in Chico, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Chico →

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 California State University-Chico

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources Conservation and Research at California State University-Chico?
A score of 44/100 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 $522,620 in decade earnings vs $582,671 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Chico's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program stand out?
Ranked #31 of 256 programs nationally, California State University-Chico lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →