Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
20
Optimistic
19
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,563/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Small (4,000 openings/yr)
ROI
8.2x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $509K | $507K | $473K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 8.2x | 8.2x | 7.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.5x | 3.5x | 3.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 44% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 20 | 19 | 18 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (3.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,390
10.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,136
77% growth from Year 1
About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
With a 57% acceptance rate, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is moderately selective, with 30,435 students enrolled in Blacksburg, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →Top Career Paths
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
$100,830/yr
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
$72,860/yr
Conservation scientists
$67,950/yr
Compare & Explore
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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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
A score of 19/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $473,406 in decade earnings vs $509,121 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →