Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,747/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #103 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 50%

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 $644K $627K $564K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.8x 9.5x 8.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.7x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 36 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,720
Out-of-state: $167,772 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,920
-31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,750
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,863
108% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Colorado Boulder's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program produces graduates earning $30,747/yr — within striking distance of the $34,545 national average for this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Natural Resources Conservation and Research's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,750 represents roughly 8 months of the $30,747 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #103 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs, University of Colorado Boulder scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $63,863 show a 108% jump from the $30,747 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Colorado Boulder

A 83% acceptance rate means University of Colorado Boulder is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 31,578 students in Boulder, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Boulder →

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 University of Colorado Boulder

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Colorado Boulder?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Natural Resources Conservation and Research careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $563,695 in decade earnings vs $644,164 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →