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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,409/yr (5% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 9.9x earnings multiple

Ranked #117 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 50%

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	$504K	$502K	$470K
Earnings Multiple	9.9x	9.9x	9.2x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	35	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$50,800

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,636

-2% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,250

7.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,605

33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,409 at Northern Illinois University come in 5% above the national median of $34,545 for Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs.

At 9.9x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,250 debt-to-$36,409 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #117 out of 256 programs, Northern Illinois University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,409 to $48,605 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University accepts 70% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 11,277 students in Dekalb, IL. 46% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Illinois 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

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northern Illinois University

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 Northern Illinois University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?

This program scores 35/100 — 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →