Natural Resources Conservation and Research bachelor's degree at Montana State University
Bozeman, MT · Public
What this page covers
Federal data group related majors at the same college and degree level. One record can include several named programs or concentrations.
The short version
Reported earnings are below similar programs.
$6,366 below the national median for the same field and degree level.
Debt as a share of earnings
55.6% of annual earnings
Highest price with a positive payoff
Not reached
Modeled 10-year payoff
−86% · Negative payoff
Available price data
College-wide context only
PRICE SENSITIVITY
The price can change the verdict.
Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.
← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →
$0Annual price−$143,540
$8,000Annual price−$175,540
$16,000Annual price−$207,540
$22,000Current college-wide context−$231,540
$24,000Annual price−$239,540
$32,000Annual price−$271,540
$40,000Annual price−$303,540
OUTCOME SIGNALS
Graduate outcomes from several angles.
Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.
+65%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$36,745 → $60,659Not availableEarn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohortNot availableWorking in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort16Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median22Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt medianNot availableAwarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credentialNot availableRecent awardsIPEDS 2024–25 first-major completions in this field and credential
NEW FEDERAL PROGRAM CONTEXT
Size, aid and an earnings floor.
The Department of Education’s 2026 informational preview adds current program participation and a preliminary earnings comparison. It does not make a final eligibility determination.
193Students receiving federal aid2024–25 Title IV enrollment34Federal-aid completers2024–25 program completers77Pell Grant recipients2024–25 program count118Federal loan borrowers2024–25 unduplicated count
Preliminary federal earnings benchmark$31,564Informational preview, not a final accountability result
Observed year-4 earnings$48,646$17,082 above the preliminary benchmark
Additional borrowing reported for this category: 27 Parent PLUS borrowers.
Source: U.S. Department of Education PPD:2026 informational preview. Program categories use OPEID, four-digit field and credential level; federal-aid counts do not represent every enrolled student. Completion and employment measures use older cohorts shown above and are not combined into the payoff estimate.
01 · PRICE CONTEXT$22,499
Institution-wide annual average net price, not this program’s price.
02 · BORROWING$27,040
Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.
03 · EARNINGS$48,646
Observed median earnings four full years after completion.
04 · REPAYMENT$287/mo
Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
Published college costs provide the starting point.
Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.
Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.
$36,745Year 1
$48,646Year 4
$60,659Year 5
CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?
7.1% of gross monthly earnings
Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.
Gross monthly earnings$4,054
Estimated loan payment$287
22borrowers represented where reported
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
$48,646 vs. $55,012
$6,366 below the national median for the same field and credential.
Same-field national median
WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?
Related occupations, wages and outlook.
Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for, not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.
BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary$97,890 median wageMT estimate · 60 jobs · 25-1053$77,950–$126,470 middle 50% of MT wages+2.7% projected U.S. growth · 600 openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeEnvironmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$80,260 median wageMT estimate · 570 jobs · 19-2041$66,300–$93,140 middle 50% of MT wages+6.1% projected U.S. growth · 7,300 openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCompliance Officers$66,660 median wageMT estimate · 1,480 jobs · 13-1041$61,910–$88,420 middle 50% of MT wages+3.8% projected U.S. growth · 32,700 openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeForest and Conservation Technicians$52,420 median wageMT estimate · 1,760 jobs · 19-4071$47,940–$69,160 middle 50% of MT wages-2.1% projected U.S. growth · 3,800 openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeForestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary$104,220 median wageMT estimate · 60 jobs · 25-1043$83,100–$123,380 middle 50% of MT wages+2.8% projected U.S. growth · 100 openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeConservation Scientists$73,920 median wageMT estimate · 560 jobs · 19-1031$57,530–$88,710 middle 50% of MT wages+5.3% projected U.S. growth · 2,100 openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeForesters$67,200 median wageMT estimate · 240 jobs · 19-1032$63,130–$81,430 middle 50% of MT wages+2.2% projected U.S. growth · 900 openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeEnvironmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$60,550 median wageMT estimate · 70 jobs · 19-4042$48,980–$76,330 middle 50% of MT wages+6.9% projected U.S. growth · 5,300 openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeNO MATCHNot available median wageU.S. estimate · Unreported jobs · 99-9999
CENSUS EMPLOYMENT DESTINATIONS
Where graduates work five years later
The leading industries employing graduates in this college, broad field and credential group.
01
Public Administration
about 33.0%02
Educational Services
about 14.5%03
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
about 13.4%04
Accommodation and Food Services
about 5.4%05
Retail Trade
about 5.1%
Possible alternatives
Same degree, stronger on at least one reported measure.
Every option below reports higher earnings, lower federal debt or a lower college-wide net price. Same-state options appear first.