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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,725/yr (-14% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #163 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	$494K	$494K	$463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.4x	13.4x	12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.6x	4.6x	4.3x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	31	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$36,768

Out-of-state: $107,084 (4.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,860

-60% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,137

8.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,975

51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,725/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 13.4x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,137 represents roughly 9 months of the $29,725 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #163 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs, Central Washington University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $44,975 show a 51% jump from the $29,725 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Central Washington University

Central Washington University accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 8,081 in Ellensburg, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Washington University →

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 Central Washington University

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 Central Washington University?

A score of 31/100 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 $463,245 in decade earnings vs $493,783 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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