Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,890/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI
13.4x earnings multiple (5.1x 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 | $572K | $563K | $515K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 13.6x | 13.4x | 12.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.2x | 5.1x | 4.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 46 | 45 | 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)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (5.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,125
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,849
55% growth from Year 1
About Iowa State University
Iowa State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 25,033 in Ames, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State 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
Compare & Explore
Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Other Schools
Other Majors at Iowa State University
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
How does Iowa State University's Natural Resources & Conservation Research program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Natural Resources & Conservation Research. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Natural Resources & Conservation Research to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Natural Resources & Conservation 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 Iowa State University rank so high for Natural Resources & Conservation Research?
The #27 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 →