Natural Resources and Conservation, Other: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 3 college programs, at a typical net price.
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
What Natural Resources and Conservation, Other pays
Career outlook for Natural Resources and Conservation, Other graduates
The job market for the occupations Natural Resources and Conservation, Other graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary | 1,600 | +4.0% | $100,830 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other vs similar majors
How Natural Resources and Conservation, Other stacks up against the closest fields in Natural Resources & Conservation on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Other Natural Resources & Conservation · this major | Forestry | Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | Natural Resources Conservation and Research | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 20 F | 50 C | 44 D | 41 D |
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return | Strong return | Break-even |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $44,517 | $60,834 | $60,061 | $58,196 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $29,139 | $44,838 | $42,493 | $37,220 |
| ROI vs cost | -106% | +100% | +85% | +64% |
| Typical debt | $27,000 | $19,678 | $26,146 | $22,962 |
| Colleges offering it | 3 | 36 | 44 | 270 |
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for Natural Resources and Conservation, Other
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | Associate's | $50,657 | — | +92% | Strong return |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA | Associate's | $43,168 | $27,000 | -124% | Poor return |
| 3 | Juniata College Huntingdon, PA | Associate's | $39,726 | — | -210% | Poor return |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.