Home Schools North Dakota State Natural Resources Management and Policy
Natural Resources · Natural Resources Management and Policy Rank #4 of 26

Natural Resources Management and Policyat North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Graduates earn $40,971/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Natural Resources Management and Policy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $569K; scenarios range from $523K to $577K depending on AI disruption.

Fargo, ND Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
60 SOLID
61
Optimistic
57
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,971
1-year post-graduation
ROI
13.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$569K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
44% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at North Dakota State

The strong outcomes for NDSU's Natural Resources program are deeply rooted in its location. North Dakota’s economy is powered by agriculture, energy, and land management, creating a built-in regional job market for graduates. You won't just be studying theory; you'll be immersed in the real-world policy debates and business decisions shaping the Great Plains. Local and state agencies, as well as major agribusiness and energy firms, actively recruit from this program because they know its graduates understand the specific challenges of the region, from water rights to soil conservation and energy extraction. The curriculum's blend of science, economics, and policy prepares you for practical management roles right out of the gate.

To make the most of this, secure an internship with a key regional player like the ND Department of Environmental Quality or a major agricultural cooperative.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$523K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple12.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$569K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple13.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$577K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple13.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to North Dakota State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
+2.9% 10-yr growth · 10,900 openings/yr
$105,980/yr
Moderate
5
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$100,830/yr
Moderate
6
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Natural Resources Management and Policy

How North Dakota State stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Michigan State University
MI · Public
54
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
6.7x
ROI
West Virginia University
WV · Public
57
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
11.2x
ROI
University of Rhode Island
RI · Public
59
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
8.8x
ROI
Top score
Glenville State University
WV · Public
62
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
14.4x
ROI
Unity Environmental University
ME · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
10.7x
ROI
Also at North Dakota State

Other top programs at North Dakota State

Other highest-scoring programs offered at North Dakota State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Natural Resources Management and Policy offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Natural Resources Management and Policy trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Natural Resources Management and Policy at North Dakota State

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Natural Resources Management and Policy at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?

At 60/100, North Dakota State University-Main Campus's Natural Resources Management and Policy program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Natural Resources Management and Policy at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?

The 42% 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 North Dakota State University-Main Campus one of the best schools for Natural Resources Management and Policy?

Among 26 Natural Resources Management and Policy programs, North Dakota State University-Main Campus's #4 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.