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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,749/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 20.9x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #43 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 25%

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	$636K	$619K	$558K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	21.4x	20.9x	18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.2x	8.0x	7.2x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	42	40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$29,696

Out-of-state: $77,216 (8.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,528

-74% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,087

5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$61,590

114% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,749 per year, Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates from San Francisco State University earn below the $34,545 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 20.9x 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 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $14,087 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #43 out of 256 programs, San Francisco State University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $28,749 to $61,590 over five years (114% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About San Francisco State University

With 96% of applicants admitted, San Francisco State University prioritizes broad access, with 20,033 students enrolled in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco State University →

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 San Francisco State 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

How does San Francisco State University's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?

This program scores 42/100 — 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 San Francisco State University rank so high for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?

The #43 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.

Why are Natural Resources Conservation and Research earnings lower at San Francisco State University?

Lower starting pay at San Francisco State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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