Natural Resources Conservation and Research at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
53
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,308/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 21.5x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 5%

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 $674K $653K $584K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.2x 21.5x 19.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.6x 8.4x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 53 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,408
Out-of-state: $77,928 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,048
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,352
91% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $37,308 per year, Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates from California State University-Sacramento earn slightly above the $34,545 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Natural Resources Conservation and Research's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $37,308 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #8 of 256 nationally, this is a top-5% Natural Resources Conservation and Research program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $71,352 show a 91% jump from the $37,308 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Sacramento

With 94% of applicants admitted, California State University-Sacramento prioritizes broad access, with 27,867 students enrolled in Sacramento, CA. 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Sacramento →

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

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Other Schools

Compare Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Other Majors at California State University-Sacramento

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 Natural Resources Conservation and Research at California State University-Sacramento?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Natural Resources Conservation and Research field.
Will AI replace Natural Resources Conservation and Research careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $583,520 in decade earnings vs $673,842 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Sacramento's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program stand out?
Ranked #8 of 256 programs nationally, California State University-Sacramento lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →