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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at American University

Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,780/yr (35% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #44 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 25%

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 $692K $669K $595K
Earnings Multiple 3.1x 3.0x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$226,172
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$167,780
26% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,125
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,483
68% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of American University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program earn $46,780/yr in their first year — 35% above the $34,545 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 3.0x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,125 debt-to-$46,780 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #44 out of 256 programs, American University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $46,780 to $78,483 over five years (68% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About American University

With a 47% acceptance rate, American University is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 7,593 in Washington, DC.

See all programs and financial aid at American 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 American University

Finance and Financial Management Services ($83,505) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($58,299) Economics ($58,151) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($55,625) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($50,026) Political Science and Government ($48,034) International Relations and National Security Studies ($47,551) Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies ($46,206)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Natural Resources Conservation and Research trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 American University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?
This program scores 42/100 — 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 does American University rank so high for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?
The #44 ranking out of 256 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →