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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $22,791/yr (-34% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 2.3x earnings multiple

Ranked #254 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	$611K	$598K	$542K
Earnings Multiple	2.4x	2.3x	2.1x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	14	13	12

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$256,568

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$118,248

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,250

11.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,485

139% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $22,791 per year, Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates from Mount Holyoke College earn below the $34,545 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

An earnings multiple of 2.3x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,250 debt-to-$22,791 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #254 out of 256 programs, Mount Holyoke College's financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $22,791 to $54,485 over five years (139% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Mount Holyoke College

A 38% acceptance rate puts Mount Holyoke College in competitive admissions territory, with a smaller student body of 2,198 in South Hadley, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $118,248 — 54% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Mount Holyoke 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 Mount Holyoke 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

How does Mount Holyoke College's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?

This program scores 13/100 — 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 are Natural Resources Conservation and Research earnings lower at Mount Holyoke College?

Lower starting pay at Mount Holyoke College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

How affordable is Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Mount Holyoke College after financial aid?

Sticker price is $256,568, but the average net cost is $118,248 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.

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