Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,369/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI
9.0x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
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 | $590K | $579K | $528K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.2x | 9.0x | 8.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.3x | 4.2x | 3.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 34 | 34 | 32 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,016
Out-of-state: $138,004 (4.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,925
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,105
85% growth from Year 1
About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
With a 44% acceptance rate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is moderately selective, with 34,623 students enrolled in Champaign, IL.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →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
Compare & Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
A score of 34/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources & Conservation Research. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $527,750 in decade earnings vs $590,350 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →