WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-16% vs national median114 grads tracked

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Western Carolina University

Ranked 142nd of 159 bachelor's programs in Natural Resources Conservation and Research by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,986
middle 50%: $22,650 – $47,878
Median · 5 years out
$47,346
middle 50%: $32,017 – $57,991
Median · 10 years out
$64,402
middle 50%: $51,828 – $82,142

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Natural Resources Conservation and Research (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Natural Resources Conservation and Research earn a median $32,986 one year after graduating, rising to $64,402 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $56,425 for this field, ranking 142nd of 159 reporting programs.

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
≈ $10,538 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
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
University of Montana (The)
$46,564 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$46,521 · 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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