Home Schools Northwest Missouri State University Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
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Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Managementat Northwest Missouri State University

Graduates earn $36,758/yr in their first year — about 23.0% above the national Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management average. Base-case 10-year earnings $460K; scenarios range from $438K to $456K depending on AI disruption.

Maryville, MO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
31
Optimistic
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$36,758
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$460K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Northwest Missouri State University

While many wildlife programs are theoretical, Northwest Missouri State’s strength comes from its location and hands-on philosophy. Situated in a prime agricultural and conservation region, you’ll gain practical field experience that employers like the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service value highly. This isn't just about classroom learning; it's about applying ecological principles to real-world land management challenges, from prairies to wetlands. The program has built a strong regional reputation, creating a direct pipeline to state and federal agencies who trust its graduates to be work-ready. To maximize your prospects, aggressively pursue internships with these agencies during your summers—that experience, combined with this degree, is what secures those coveted full-time biologist and conservation scientist roles after graduation.

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
$438K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple10.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$460K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple11.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$456K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple11.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management 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
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$100,830/yr
Moderate
2
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
+1.6% 10-yr growth · 1,400 openings/yr
$72,860/yr
Moderate
3
Conservation scientists
+3.4% 10-yr growth · 2,500 openings/yr
$67,950/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 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

How Northwest Missouri State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Valley City State University
ND · Public
44
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
13.8x
ROI
Top score
Stephen F Austin State University
TX · Public
46
DW Score
$43K
1-yr earn
12.7x
ROI
Brigham Young University-Idaho
ID · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
20.4x
ROI
South Dakota State University
SD · Public
38
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
11.9x
ROI
Bemidji State University
MN · Public
31
DW Score
$36K
1-yr earn
7.8x
ROI
Also at Northwest Missouri State University

Other top programs at Northwest Missouri State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northwest Missouri State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Northwest Missouri State University

How does Northwest Missouri State University's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program score?

This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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.