Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of Houston-Clear Lake

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
55
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,368/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 19.7x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

Your strong earnings potential from this program isn't about becoming a park ranger; it’s about geography. Houston is the heart of the U.S. energy and petrochemical industry, and UH-Clear Lake sits right on the vital Galveston Bay estuary. This creates a powerful local market for environmental professionals focused on industrial compliance, coastal restoration, and impact assessment. You won’t just be studying theory; you’ll be prepared for high-stakes corporate and government roles with major employers like Shell, ExxonMobil, or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The program’s reputation is built on placing graduates directly into these technical, well-compensated positions. To maximize your value, focus on gaining internship experience with an energy or environmental consulting firm in the Houston area—it will be the most important line on your resume.

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 $626K $611K $552K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.2x 19.7x 17.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.2x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 55 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,984
Out-of-state: $85,320 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$44,224
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,590
63% growth from Year 1

About University of Houston-Clear Lake

University of Houston-Clear Lake accepts 75% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 6,082 students in Houston, TX. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston-Clear Lake →

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
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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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 Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of Houston-Clear Lake?
A score of 55/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Natural Resources & Conservation Research field.
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 $551,865 in decade earnings vs $626,452 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Houston-Clear Lake's Natural Resources & Conservation Research program stand out?
Ranked #6 of 256 programs nationally, University of Houston-Clear Lake lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →