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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,824/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #139 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 $568K $559K $513K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.7x 12.5x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.4x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 33 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,712
-51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,875
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,967
87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Wisconsin-Madison's Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates start at $28,824/yr, trailing the $34,545 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 12.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,875 debt-to-$28,824 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #139 out of 256 programs, University of Wisconsin-Madison's financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $28,824 to $53,967 over five years (87% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison's 43% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 35,665 in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

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)

Other Majors at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Chemical Engineering ($85,945) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($83,260) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,018) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,566) Industrial Engineering ($80,435) Insurance ($78,796) Materials Engineering ($76,662) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,513)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Natural Resources Conservation and Research trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wisconsin-Madison'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.
Why are Natural Resources Conservation and Research earnings lower at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
Lower starting pay at University of Wisconsin-Madison may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →