Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, WI · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 6,004 students in Appleton, WI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,996 track close to the $35,086 national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 45.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Natural Resources Conservation and Research's career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 26% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,600 in median debt against $32,996 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

This program is one of 6 schools offering Natural Resources Conservation and Research in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Earnings grow from $32,996 to $44,079 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Natural Resources Conservation and Research offers 6 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
49
Score
52
High End
Earnings $32,996/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$467K
7.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
47.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,832
Out-of-state: $14,218
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,600
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,079
34% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830 +4.0% 52%
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary $87,710 +2.9% 48%
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health $80,060 +4.4% 47%
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
$100,830
+4.0% growth 52% AI-proof
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
$87,710
+2.9% growth 48% AI-proof
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
$80,060
+4.4% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

About Natural Resources Conservation and Research Careers

Your work will take you from forests and streams to labs and offices, protecting our natural world. Many graduates start as environmental or conservation technicians, spending their days in the field collecting soil and water samples, operating monitoring equipment, and documenting ecosystem health. With experience, you can advance to roles like an environmental scientist, analyzing that data to develop remediation plans, or a compliance officer, ensuring companies adhere to environmental laws through site inspections and report reviews.

Read the full Natural Resources Conservation and Research career guide →

Compare & Explore

Natural Resources Conservation and Research Overview

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Other Schools

Other Majors at Fox Valley Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Fox Valley Technical College's Natural Resources Conservation and Research program score?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Should I worry about AI if I study Natural Resources Conservation and Research?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
How affordable is Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Fox Valley Technical College?
At $9,600 in median debt, Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates from Fox Valley Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Natural Resources Conservation and Research?
There are 6 registered apprenticeships connected to Natural Resources Conservation and Research occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Natural Resources Conservation and Research workers?
The career paths mapped to Natural Resources Conservation and Research have roughly 55,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →