Home › University of Virginia-Main Campus › Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $41,790/yr (21% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 6.6x earnings multiple (2.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #63 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 25%

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	$562K	$554K	$509K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	6.7x	6.6x	6.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.4x	2.4x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	41	36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$83,944

Out-of-state: $232,056 (2.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$91,524

-9% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,000

4.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,888

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $41,790 per year, Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates from University of Virginia-Main Campus earn slightly above the $34,545 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 6.6x 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 median debt load of $14,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #63 out of 256 programs, University of Virginia-Main Campus's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $41,790 to $58,888 shows 41% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Virginia-Main Campus

A 17% acceptance rate puts University of Virginia-Main Campus in competitive admissions territory, enrolling 17,315 students in Charlottesville, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Virginia-Main Campus →

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 Virginia-Main Campus

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 Virginia-Main Campus's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?

This program scores 41/100 — 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.

Why does University of Virginia-Main Campus rank so high for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?

The #63 ranking out of 256 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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