Home › University of California-Davis › Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,896/yr (0% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Small (4,000 openings/yr)

ROI 7.0x earnings multiple (2.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #22 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	$419K	$427K	$413K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	6.9x	7.0x	6.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.3x	2.3x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	23	23	21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$60,988

Out-of-state: $184,096 (2.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,152

-0% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,000

6.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,896/yr, roughly in line with the $29,850 national median for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 7.0x 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 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $15,000 debt-to-$29,896 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #22 out of 37 programs, University of California-Davis's financial outcomes for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of California-Davis

A 42% admission rate makes University of California-Davis accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 31,777 students enrolled in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

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 University of California-Davis

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 University of California-Davis's Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management program score?

This program scores 23/100 — on the lower end for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 →