Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $33,543 track close to the $37,130 national median for Natural Resources Management and Policy programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 12.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Natural Resources Management and Policy career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $22,997 against $33,543/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #21 ranking among 26 Natural Resources Management and Policy programs places The University of Tennessee-Martin in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 35% earnings increase from $33,543 to $45,422 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.