WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+1% vs national median139 grads tracked

Natural Resources and Conservation at West Virginia University

Ranked 14th of 32 doctoral (research) programs in Natural Resources and Conservation by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$69,356
middle 50%: $53,767 – $84,309
Median · 5 years out
$91,014
middle 50%: $71,182 – $112,574
Median · 10 years out
$83,557
middle 50%: $65,986 – $100,994

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 West Virginia University's doctoral (research) program in Natural Resources and Conservation earn a median $69,356 one year after graduating, rising to $83,557 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% above the national median of $90,042 for this field, ranking 14th 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
4.4 yrs
≈ $4,831 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$97,271 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College of Environment Science & Forestry
$94,942 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$94,300 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$93,589 · 5 yrs out
Clemson University
$91,987 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$91,243 · 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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$88,474 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at West Virginia University

Dentistry (Doctorate)
$165,016 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$156,627 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,069 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,321 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$128,840 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,766 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$113,771 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,311 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,203 · 5 yrs out

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