Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Managementat University of Delaware
Graduates earn $22,411/yr in their first year — about 25.0% below the national Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management average. Base-case 10-year earnings $531K; scenarios range from $491K to $536K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Delaware
While a passion for the natural world drives students to this field, the financial realities reflect a challenging job market. Many entry-level roles in conservation are with state agencies, local non-profits, or environmental consulting firms, where funding is often tight and competition is fierce. Unlike western states with vast public lands, the Mid-Atlantic region has a smaller footprint for federal employers like the National Park Service. Furthermore, the most stable and higher-paying careers, such as wildlife biologist or research scientist, almost always require a master's degree or Ph.D., making this bachelor's a stepping stone to more schooling rather than a direct career launchpad. To stand out, aggressively pursue internships and seasonal fieldwork with organizations like the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, as hands-on experience will be far more valuable than your GPA.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Delaware's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
How University of Delaware stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Delaware
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Delaware, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at University of Delaware
How does University of Delaware's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program score?
This program scores 18/100 — on the lower end for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do University of Delaware Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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 are Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management earnings lower at University of Delaware?
Lower starting pay at University of Delaware may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.