Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $30,249 track close to the $34,545 national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The 11.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $19,500 debt-to-$30,249 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #188 out of 256 programs, Utah State University's financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.