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Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,936/yr (0% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Small (4,000 openings/yr)

ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #15 of 37 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs Top 50%

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	$501K	$500K	$468K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.4x	12.4x	11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.2x	6.2x	5.8x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	27	25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,336

Out-of-state: $80,464 (6.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,828

-41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$11,000

4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,021

54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,936 track close to the $29,850 national median for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

At $11,000 in median debt against $29,936 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #15 of 37 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs, Tennessee Technological University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $46,021 show a 54% jump from the $29,936 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University has a 83% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 8,495 students in Cookeville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee Technological 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 Tennessee Technological University

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 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Tennessee Technological University?

A score of 27/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $467,868 in decade earnings vs $500,803 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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