Bachelor's-14% vs national median335 grads tracked
Natural Resources and Conservation at Western Carolina University
Ranked 160th of 181 bachelor's programs in Natural Resources and Conservation by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$33,418
middle 50%: $24,683 – $42,853
Median · 5 years out
$48,487
middle 50%: $37,051 – $57,319
Median · 10 years out
$60,013
middle 50%: $48,429 – $78,655
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Natural Resources and Conservation (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Western Carolina University Natural Resources graduates start at $33k. Median pay reaches $48k at five years and $60k at ten years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,399 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Wisconsin - Stout
$49,207 · 5 yrs out
Berry College
$49,095 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
$49,095 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Central University
$48,878 · 5 yrs out
Shenandoah University
$48,791 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$48,503 · 5 yrs out
Winthrop University
$48,238 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota Morris
$48,213 · 5 yrs out
Emory & Henry College
$47,243 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
$47,119 · 5 yrs out
Manchester University
$46,845 · 5 yrs out
Southwest Minnesota State University
$46,663 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Carolina University
Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out
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