Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
21
Optimistic
20
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings
$27,762/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Small (4,000 openings/yr)
ROI
7.8x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $498K | $498K | $466K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 7.8x | 7.8x | 7.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 2.9x | 2.9x | 2.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 21 | 20 | 19 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (2.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,332
12.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,778
61% growth from Year 1
About Michigan State University
With 84% of applicants admitted, Michigan State University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 40,243 in East Lansing, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Michigan State University →Top Career Paths
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
$100,830/yr
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
$72,860/yr
Conservation scientists
$67,950/yr
Compare & Explore
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Other Schools
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Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Michigan State University's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program score?
This program scores 20/100 — on the lower end for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Michigan State University Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →