Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,465/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI
10.3x 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 | $445K | $450K | $430K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.2x | 10.3x | 9.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.1x | 4.2x | 4.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 33 | 32 | 29 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,680
Out-of-state: $108,416 (4.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
About University of Southern Maine
A 79% acceptance rate means University of Southern Maine is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 4,245 students in Portland, ME.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Maine →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
Other Majors at University of Southern Maine
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does University of Southern Maine's Natural Resources & Conservation Research program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Natural Resources & Conservation Research. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Natural Resources & Conservation Research to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Natural Resources & Conservation Research careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →