Home › Otterbein University › Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Otterbein University

Westerville, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $19,801/yr (-34% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Small (4,000 openings/yr)

ROI 2.7x earnings multiple

Ranked #36 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	$362K	$376K	$375K
Earnings Multiple	2.6x	2.7x	2.7x
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)

$139,596

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$88,560

37% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,850

15.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,801 place Otterbein University below the $29,850 national median for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,850 against $19,801/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.3 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #36 of 37 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management programs, Otterbein University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Otterbein University

Otterbein University accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,055 students in Westerville, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $88,560 over four years — 37% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Otterbein 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 Otterbein University

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 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Otterbein University?

A score of 13/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Otterbein University worth the student debt?

Median debt of $25,850 against $19,801/yr starting salary means roughly 1.3 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

Will AI replace Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $375,332 in decade earnings vs $361,831 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management from Otterbein University?

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 →