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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Western Colorado University

Gunnison, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,123/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #189 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $518K $515K $479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.6x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.4x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,332
Out-of-state: $94,732 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,092
-51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,646
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,470
78% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,123 place Western Colorado University below the $34,545 national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,646 debt-to-$26,123 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #189 out of 256 programs, Western Colorado University's financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,123 to $46,470 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University accepts 97% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,653 in Gunnison, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Colorado University →

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
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 256 schools offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research →

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Other Schools

Columbia Southern University ($74,546) Bentley University ($68,600) Villanova University ($56,549) University of Maryland Global Campus ($55,545) George Washington University ($51,201) Northeastern University ($51,137) Massachusetts Maritime Academy ($50,931) American Public University System ($50,260)

Other Majors at Western Colorado University

Economics ($53,403) Accounting and Related Services ($47,204) Sociology ($43,178) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($41,886) Psychology, General ($32,352) Political Science and Government ($30,272) Biology, General ($29,881) Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies ($25,903)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Natural Resources Conservation and Research trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Western Colorado University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Natural Resources Conservation and Research to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Natural Resources Conservation and 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 and Research earnings lower at Western Colorado University?
Lower starting pay at Western Colorado University 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 →