WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median159 grads tracked

Natural Resources and Conservation at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Ranked 20th of 32 doctoral (research) programs in Natural Resources and Conservation by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$66,994
middle 50%: $53,801 – $89,317
Median · 5 years out
$88,474
middle 50%: $67,746 – $110,004
Median · 10 years out
$105,799
middle 50%: $78,843 – $131,097

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Natural Resources and Conservation (doctoral (research)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University's doctoral (research) program in Natural Resources and Conservation earn a median $66,994 one year after graduating, rising to $105,799 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $90,042 for this field, ranking 20th of 32 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
4.6 yrs
≈ $5,004 total interest

Same major at other universities

West Virginia University
$91,014 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$90,301 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$90,042 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$88,538 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$85,664 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$84,962 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$84,761 · 5 yrs out
South Dakota State University
$82,142 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$160,426 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$155,674 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$148,193 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$132,072 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$130,533 · 5 yrs out
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's)
$129,123 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$125,251 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$125,251 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$121,443 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$119,838 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$116,512 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$109,749 · 5 yrs out

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