Natural Resources & Conservation Research at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Natural Resources Conservation and Research
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,824/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI
12.5x earnings multiple (3.4x 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 | $568K | $559K | $513K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.7x | 12.5x | 11.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.5x | 3.4x | 3.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 34 | 33 | 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)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (3.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,875
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,967
87% growth from Year 1
About University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison's 43% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 35,665 in Madison, WI.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →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 Wisconsin-Madison
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 Wisconsin-Madison's Natural Resources & Conservation Research program score?
This program scores 33/100 — 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.
Why are Natural Resources & Conservation Research earnings lower at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
Lower starting pay at University of Wisconsin-Madison may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →