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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Fort Lewis College

Durango, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,541/yr (-35% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #197 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 $524K $520K $483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.5x 13.5x 12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.3x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 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)
$38,680
Out-of-state: $83,192 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,356
-79% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,951
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,158
100% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Fort Lewis College's Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates start at $22,541/yr, trailing the $34,545 national average by 35%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.5x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $14,951 represents roughly 8 months of the $22,541 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #197 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs, Fort Lewis College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $45,158 show a 100% jump from the $22,541 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Fort Lewis College

A 93% acceptance rate means Fort Lewis College is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 3,070 students in Durango, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Fort Lewis 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

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 Fort Lewis College

Engineering, General ($50,985) Accounting and Related Services ($45,693) Public Health ($37,498) Chemistry ($34,159) Business/Commerce, General ($33,376) Sociology ($27,553) Psychology, General ($27,019) Biology, General ($26,350)

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Fort Lewis College?
A score of 26/100 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 $483,415 in decade earnings vs $523,981 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Natural Resources Conservation and Research from Fort Lewis 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →