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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,236/yr (28% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 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 $536K $531K $491K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.4x 12.3x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,120
Out-of-state: $118,012 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,176
-33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,630
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,583
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $44,236 put Metropolitan State University of Denver's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program 28% above the national median of $34,545 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 12.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $44,236 far exceeding the $18,630 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #13 out of 256 programs, Metropolitan State University of Denver's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,236 to $55,583 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 14,932 students in Denver, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver →

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)

Compare Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs Columbia Southern University → Metropolitan State University of Denver vs University of Maryland Global Campus → Metropolitan State University of Denver vs Massachusetts Maritime Academy → Metropolitan State University of Denver vs American Public University System →

Other Majors at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($77,333) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($75,966) Computer Science ($73,874) Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($72,334) Management Information Systems and Services ($59,451) Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($54,677) Finance and Financial Management Services ($54,579) Accounting and Related Services ($54,030)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Natural Resources Conservation and Research trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Metropolitan State University of Denver's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?
This program scores 48/100 — 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver rank so high for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?
The #13 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 →