Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,921/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI
15.5x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Natural Resources & Conservation Research graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $540K | $535K | $494K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 15.6x | 15.5x | 14.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.1x | 7.0x | 6.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 36 | 36 | 34 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,568
Out-of-state: $76,328 (7.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
10.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,173
71% growth from Year 1
About Shepherd University
Shepherd University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 2,375 students in Shepherdstown, WV.
See all programs and financial aid at Shepherd 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
Compare & Explore
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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 & Conservation Research at Shepherd University?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources & Conservation Research. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Natural Resources & Conservation Research careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $494,147 in decade earnings vs $540,046 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →