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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Saint Michael's College

Colchester, VT · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,658/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 2.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #231 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs

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	$480K	$482K	$454K
Earnings Multiple	2.4x	2.4x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	21	21	18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$200,160

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$120,132

40% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

9.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,265

32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,658/yr, roughly in line with the $34,545 national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Natural Resources Conservation and Research's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $33,658 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #231 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs, Saint Michael's College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $33,658 to $44,265 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Saint Michael's College

Saint Michael's College accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 1,157 students in Colchester, VT. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $120,132 — 40% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Michael's College →

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 Saint Michael's College

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Saint Michael's College?

A score of 21/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Natural Resources Conservation and Research careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $454,071 in decade earnings vs $480,050 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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