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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,132/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 8.2x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #135 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs

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	$546K	$540K	$498K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.3x	8.2x	7.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.7x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	33	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$65,952

Out-of-state: $145,608 (3.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$68,556

-4% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

7.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,460

61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,132/yr, roughly in line with the $34,545 national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 8.2x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$33,132 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #135 out of 256 programs, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $33,132 to $53,460 over five years (61% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 30,469 students enrolled in Minneapolis, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities →

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 Minnesota-Twin Cities

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

How does University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?

This program scores 33/100 — 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.

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