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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Knox College

Galesburg, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,757/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 2.3x earnings multiple

Ranked #246 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	$521K	$484K
Earnings Multiple	2.4x	2.3x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	17	16	15

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$222,348

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$99,500

55% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

10.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,613

69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,757 place Knox College below the $34,545 national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.3x — 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $28,757 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #246 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs, Knox College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $48,613 show a 69% jump from the $28,757 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Knox College

Knox College accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 997 students in Galesburg, IL. The average net cost of $99,500 over four years represents a 55% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Knox 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 Knox 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 Knox 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 $483,618 in decade earnings vs $524,285 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Natural Resources Conservation and Research from Knox 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 Knox College a hidden gem for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?

After financial aid, the average student pays $99,500 over four years — 55% below the $222,348 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 →