Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Hocking College
with a smaller student body of 1,648 in Nelsonville, OH.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $26,914/yr fall 16% below the $32,058 national median for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 38.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.
AI exposure is significant at 48% of job tasks, producing a 34% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.
At $11,000 in median debt against $26,914 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
With only 3 programs offering Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management nationally, this is a niche field. Hocking College ranks #3 among them.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $26,914 to $39,349 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
One registered apprenticeship pathway (Soil Conservation Technician with a median wage of $67,950/yr) connects to Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary | $100,830 | +4.0% | 52% |
| Zoologists and wildlife biologists | $72,860 | +1.6% | 55% |
| Conservation scientists | $67,950 | +3.4% | 48% |
About Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management Careers
Your career begins with your boots on the ground. As an entry-level technician, you’ll spend your days in forests, wetlands, and rangelands, tracking animal populations with GPS collars and remote cameras, collecting biological samples, and surveying vegetation. You'll work directly under senior biologists and scientists, learning the practical skills of fieldwork in all weather conditions.
Read the full Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management career guide →
Compare & Explore
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management Overview
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at Other Schools
Other Majors at Hocking College
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