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Wildlife Management at Hocking College

Nelsonville, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

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 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 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 Management careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

High End

Earnings $26,914/yr (-16% vs median)

AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)

Job Market Small (4,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings

$428K

10.0% annual growth

Earnings Multiple (In-State)

40.4x

10-year earnings ÷ tuition

Viable Career Paths

3 of 3

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)

$10,600

Out-of-state: $19,620

Median Debt at Graduation

$11,000

4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$39,349

46% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Wildlife 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%

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary

$100,830

+4.0% growth 52% AI-proof

Zoologists and wildlife biologists

$72,860

+1.6% growth 55% AI-proof

Conservation scientists

$67,950

+3.4% growth 48% AI-proof

Wildlife Management Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Wildlife Management — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Hocking College and 2 other schools.

Read the full Wildlife Management career guide →

Compare & Explore

Wildlife Management Overview

Wildlife Management at Other Schools

Other Majors at Hocking College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 38/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Wildlife Management at Hocking College?

A score of 38/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Wildlife Management. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.

What's the AI risk for Wildlife Management graduates from Hocking College?

Our scenarios model 48% of Wildlife Management tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Hocking College's 38/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.

Is Hocking College a good choice for Wildlife Management despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Hocking College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →