Home Schools University of Rhode Island Natural Resources Management and Policy
Natural Resources · Natural Resources Management and Policy Rank #5 of 26

Natural Resources Management and Policyat University of Rhode Island

Graduates earn $44,445/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Natural Resources Management and Policy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $586K; scenarios range from $536K to $595K depending on AI disruption.

Kingston, RI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
59 SOLID
60
Optimistic
56
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,445
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$586K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
44% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Rhode Island

Your strong earnings potential from this program isn't just about the degree; it's about location and connections. As a graduate of URI, The Ocean State's flagship public university, you'll be positioned perfectly for roles within state environmental agencies, coastal management authorities, and regional EPA offices. The curriculum blends hard science with economics and policy, preparing you for the analytical and regulatory work these jobs demand. Many graduates leverage this background into federal environmental law enforcement or lucrative consulting roles that help private firms navigate complex regulations. The high AI risk score for this field highlights the importance of the skills that can't be automated: fieldwork, stakeholder negotiation, and policy advocacy. To maximize your value, aggressively pursue internships with organizations like the RI Department of Environmental Management or NOAA to build your network and practical experience before you even graduate.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$536K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple8.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$586K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple8.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$595K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple9.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Rhode Island's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
+2.9% 10-yr growth · 10,900 openings/yr
$105,980/yr
Moderate
5
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$100,830/yr
Moderate
6
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Natural Resources Management and Policy

How University of Rhode Island stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Michigan State University
MI · Public
54
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
6.7x
ROI
West Virginia University
WV · Public
57
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
11.2x
ROI
Top score
Glenville State University
WV · Public
62
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
14.4x
ROI
Unity Environmental University
ME · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
10.7x
ROI
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
ND · Public
60
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
13.0x
ROI
Also at University of Rhode Island

Other top programs at University of Rhode Island

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Rhode Island, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Natural Resources Management and Policy offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Natural Resources Management and Policy trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Natural Resources Management and Policy at University of Rhode Island

How does University of Rhode Island's Natural Resources Management and Policy program score?

This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Natural Resources Management and Policy graduates.

How vulnerable is Natural Resources Management and Policy to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Natural Resources Management and Policy careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does University of Rhode Island rank so high for Natural Resources Management and Policy?

The #5 ranking out of 26 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.