Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $27,429/yr fall 21% below the $34,545 national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
At 8.8x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $19,000 debt-to-$27,429 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #209 out of 256 programs, University of Missouri-Columbia's financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $27,429 to $44,555 over five years (62% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.