Natural Resources Management and Policy at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,019/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (310,400 openings/yr)
ROI 9.4x earnings multiple (3.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #23 of 26 Natural Resources Management and Policy programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $481K $482K $455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.3x 9.4x 8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.1x 3.1x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,436
Out-of-state: $153,460 (3.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,812
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,703
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,019 track close to the $37,130 national median for Natural Resources Management and Policy programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.4x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Natural Resources Management and Policy's typical career paths, with 42% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,812 represents roughly 9 months of the $35,019 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #23 of 26 Natural Resources Management and Policy programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $35,019 to $44,703 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

With a 51% acceptance rate, Ohio State University-Main Campus is moderately selective, with 44,617 students enrolled in Columbus, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio State University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
View all 19 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Natural Resources Management and Policy at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources Management and Policy at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources Management and Policy. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Natural Resources Management and Policy careers?
With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $454,797 in decade earnings vs $480,542 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →