Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
25
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,317/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk Low (16% exposed)
Job Market Medium (11,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 10 Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management programs

Program Analysis

While the earnings figures might seem modest, they reflect the reality of a career path rooted in public service and conservation, not high-stakes commercial fishing. As a Purdue graduate, you’re not competing for jobs on a Gloucester trawler; you’re being trained for vital roles within the Midwest's freshwater ecosystems. Think of managing fish populations for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, working on Great Lakes restoration projects, or joining environmental consultancies that monitor river health. Purdue's land-grant status and deep connections to state agencies create a direct pipeline to these stable, mission-driven careers. Your key to maximizing this degree is getting hands-on experience: volunteer or intern with a state fish hatchery or a local conservation district to build the practical skills and professional network you’ll need upon graduation.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $459K $460K $436K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.5x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.0x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 46% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 25 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,370
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,186
28% growth from Year 1

About Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

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

Top Career Paths

First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers $59,330/yr
Fishing and hunting workers N/A
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Purdue University-Main Campus's Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management program score?
This program scores 25/100 — on the lower end for Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →