Home › Stephen F Austin State University › Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Stephen F Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,282/yr (45% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Small (4,000 openings/yr)

ROI 12.9x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #1 of 37 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$553K	$546K	$503K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.0x	12.9x	11.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.7x	6.6x	6.1x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	46	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$42,400

Out-of-state: $82,720 (6.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$60,608

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,500

7.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,015

34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Stephen F Austin State University's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program earn $43,282/yr in their first year — 45% above the $29,850 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 12.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,500 debt-to-$43,282 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #1 out of 37 programs, Stephen F Austin State University's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $43,282 to $58,015 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Stephen F Austin State University

Stephen F Austin State University has a 88% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 8,746 students in Nacogdoches, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Stephen F Austin State University →

Top Career Paths

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr

Zoologists and wildlife biologists $72,860/yr

Conservation scientists $67,950/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Other Schools

Other Majors at Stephen F Austin State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Stephen F Austin State University's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program score?

This program scores 46/100 — 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.

Why does Stephen F Austin State University rank so high for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management?

The #1 ranking out of 37 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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