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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,038/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #41 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 $530K $526K $487K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.6x 9.5x 8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.3x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,148
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,483
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,409
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,038 per year, Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates from George Mason University earn slightly above the $34,545 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 9.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,483 debt-to-$43,038 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #41 out of 256 programs, George Mason University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $43,038 to $54,409 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About George Mason University

With 89% of applicants admitted, George Mason University prioritizes broad access, with 27,083 students enrolled in Fairfax, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at George Mason 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

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 George Mason University

Homeland Security ($90,956) Computer Engineering ($87,466) Systems Engineering ($84,942) Computer Science ($84,632) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,175) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($78,800) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($78,365) Civil Engineering ($75,822)

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

How does George Mason University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Natural Resources Conservation and Research to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Natural Resources Conservation and Research careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does George Mason University rank so high for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?
The #41 ranking out of 256 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →