Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Knox College

Galesburg, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
16 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
17
Optimistic
16
Base Case
15
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,757/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #246 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 Research graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $524K $521K $484K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.3x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 17 16 15

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$222,348
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$99,500
55% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
10.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,613
69% growth from Year 1

About Knox College

Knox College accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 997 students in Galesburg, IL. The average net cost of $99,500 over four years represents a 55% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Knox 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

Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Other Schools

Other Majors at Knox College

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 Knox College?
A score of 16/100 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 $483,618 in decade earnings vs $524,285 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Natural Resources & Conservation Research from Knox College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is Knox College a hidden gem for Natural Resources & Conservation Research?
After financial aid, the average student pays $99,500 over four years — 55% below the $222,348 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →