Natural Resources & Conservation Researchat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Graduates earn $29,264/yr in their first year — about 15.0% below the national Natural Resources & Conservation Research average. Base-case 10-year earnings $600K; scenarios range from $544K to $614K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Michigan
While the initial earnings might seem modest for a top-tier university, that data doesn't capture the full picture. Many graduates from Michigan's renowned School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) don't enter high-paying corporate jobs immediately. Instead, they pursue prestigious but lower-paying research positions, join non-profits, or enter government agencies like the Michigan DNR or the EPA. This program is a powerful launchpad for graduate school, which is a prerequisite for the high-level scientific and academic careers where Michigan alumni truly excel. The value here is less about your first job and more about the access to a powerful research network and a brand name that opens doors to influential roles in policy and academia later on.
To maximize your investment, aggressively pursue the undergraduate research opportunities SEAS offers to build relationships with faculty who will be your champions for grad school or top-tier jobs.
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 Michigan'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 Natural Resources & Conservation Research
How University of Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Michigan
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Natural Resources & Conservation Research offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Natural Resources & Conservation Research trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of Michigan
What does a 32/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
At 32/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Natural Resources & Conservation Research programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor a good choice for Natural Resources & Conservation Research despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.