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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,152/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 5%

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 $610K $597K $541K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 13.0x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.7x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,607
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,351
59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Maryland-College Park's Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates start at $41,152/yr — above the $34,545 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs nationally.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,607 in median debt clears quickly against $41,152 in annual earnings.

At #10 of 256 nationally, this is a top-5% Natural Resources Conservation and Research program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $65,351 show a 59% jump from the $41,152 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Maryland-College Park

University of Maryland-College Park's 45% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 30,246 in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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

Compare this program → View all 256 schools offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research →

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Other Schools

Columbia Southern University ($74,546) Bentley University ($68,600) Villanova University ($56,549) University of Maryland Global Campus ($55,545) George Washington University ($51,201) Northeastern University ($51,137) Massachusetts Maritime Academy ($50,931) American Public University System ($50,260)

Compare Natural Resources Conservation and Research

University of Maryland-College Park vs Columbia Southern University → University of Maryland-College Park vs University of Maryland Global Campus → University of Maryland-College Park vs Massachusetts Maritime Academy → University of Maryland-College Park vs American Public University System →

Other Majors at University of Maryland-College Park

Computer Science ($99,756) Computer Engineering ($95,847) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,500) Chemical Engineering ($81,777) Engineering, Other ($80,931) Mathematics ($79,129) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,631) Civil Engineering ($76,731)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Natural Resources Conservation and Research trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Maryland-College Park?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Natural Resources Conservation and Research field.
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 $541,022 in decade earnings vs $610,220 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Maryland-College Park's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program stand out?
Ranked #10 of 256 programs nationally, University of Maryland-College Park lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →