Home › Michigan State University › Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,762/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Small (4,000 openings/yr)

ROI 7.8x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #29 of 37 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$498K	$498K	$466K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	7.8x	7.8x	7.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.9x	2.9x	2.7x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	21	20	19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$63,952

Out-of-state: $173,488 (2.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$83,004

-30% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$28,332

12.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,778

61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $27,762/yr, Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates from Michigan State University land near the $29,850 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 7.8x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $28,332 debt load exceeds a year of the $27,762 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #29 out of 37 programs, Michigan State University's financial outcomes for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $27,762 to $44,778 over five years (61% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Michigan State University

With 84% of applicants admitted, Michigan State University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 40,243 in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan State University →

Top Career Paths

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr

Zoologists and wildlife biologists $72,860/yr

Conservation scientists $67,950/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Other Schools

Other Majors at Michigan State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Michigan State University's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program score?

This program scores 20/100 — on the lower end for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Michigan State University Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

How vulnerable is Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management 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.

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