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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Eckerd College

Saint Petersburg, FL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
14 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
14
Optimistic
14
Base Case
13
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,709/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #251 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 $490K $490K $460K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 14 14 13

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$201,496
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$132,044
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
11.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,741
66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,709 place Eckerd College below the $34,545 national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 2.4x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Natural Resources Conservation and Research career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,500 against $25,709/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #251 ranking among 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs places Eckerd College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $25,709-to-$42,741 earnings arc over five years reflects a 66% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Eckerd College

Eckerd College accepts 79% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,984 students in Saint Petersburg, FL. After financial aid, the average student pays $132,044 over four years — 34% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Eckerd 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

Compare this program → View all 256 schools offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research →

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Other Schools

Columbia Southern University ($74,546) Bentley University ($68,600) Villanova University ($56,549) University of Maryland Global Campus ($55,545) George Washington University ($51,201) Northeastern University ($51,137) Massachusetts Maritime Academy ($50,931) American Public University System ($50,260)

Other Majors at Eckerd College

Political Science and Government ($34,621) Communication and Media Studies ($33,544) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($33,153) Research and Experimental Psychology ($31,596) Biology, General ($26,871) International Relations and National Security Studies ($26,526) Psychology, General ($25,930) Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology ($21,980)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Natural Resources Conservation and Research trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 14/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Eckerd College?
At 14/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Eckerd 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.
Is Eckerd College a good choice for Natural Resources Conservation and Research despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Eckerd College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →