Natural Resources & Conservation Research at California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
39
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,364/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI
15.0x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
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 | $461K | $465K | $441K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.9x | 15.0x | 14.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.9x | 5.9x | 5.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 39 | 39 | 35 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,956
Out-of-state: $78,476 (5.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,273
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
About California State University-San Marcos
With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-San Marcos prioritizes broad access, enrolling 14,174 students in San Marcos, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 44% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Marcos →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
Compare & Explore
Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State University-San Marcos
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources & Conservation Research at California State University-San Marcos?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources & Conservation Research. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Natural Resources & Conservation Research careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $441,353 in decade earnings vs $461,012 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →