Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,081/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI
11.9x earnings multiple (4.3x 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 | $616K | $602K | $545K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.1x | 11.9x | 10.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.4x | 4.3x | 3.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 43 | 43 | 40 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,752
Out-of-state: $139,736 (4.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,000
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,196
80% growth from Year 1
About University of South Carolina-Columbia
University of South Carolina-Columbia's 61% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 28,113 students in Columbia, SC.
See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-Columbia →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
Natural Resources & Conservation Research at Other Schools
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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 South Carolina-Columbia?
A score of 43/100 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 $544,764 in decade earnings vs $615,820 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of South Carolina-Columbia's Natural Resources & Conservation Research program stand out?
Ranked #39 of 256 programs nationally, University of South Carolina-Columbia lands in the top 25%. 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 →