Program Analysis
Graduates of Valley City State University's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program earn $44,253/yr in their first year — 48% above the $29,850 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $24,250 represents roughly 7 months of the $44,253 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #2 of 37 nationally, this is a top-5% Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $50,283 are relatively flat compared to the $44,253 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.