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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Colby College

Waterville, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,216/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 2.1x earnings multiple

Ranked #247 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	$571K	$562K	$515K
Earnings Multiple	2.1x	2.1x	1.9x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	16	16	14

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$266,400

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$95,756

64% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,313

8.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,972

91% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Colby College's Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates start at $28,216/yr, trailing the $34,545 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The financial case is thin at 2.1x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,313 represents roughly 8 months of the $28,216 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #247 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs, Colby College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $53,972 show a 91% jump from the $28,216 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Colby College

Only 7% of applicants gain admission to Colby College, reflecting elite selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 2,282 students in Waterville, ME. The average net cost of $95,756 over four years represents a 64% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Colby College →

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

Other Majors at Colby College

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 Colby College?

A score of 16/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $514,572 in decade earnings vs $570,625 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Natural Resources Conservation and Research from Colby College?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Is Colby College a hidden gem for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?

After financial aid, the average student pays $95,756 over four years — 64% below the $266,400 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →