Entry Level Salary
$46,856
Median Salary
$79,911
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
33.6%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,196,440
Entry (Early)
$46,856
Median (Prime)
$79,911
High (Prime)
$83,772
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-33k
+243k
+274k
$25k / yr
-123k
+153k
+184k
$50k / yr
-213k
+63k
+94k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
27
$25k / yr
Never
34
33
$50k / yr
Never
46
42
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-113%
140%
169%
$50k / yr
-98%
29%
43%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate26.1%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Conservation scientists and foresters
15.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,195
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,793|$69,060
openings
3,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.7%
Management occupations
6.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$71,735
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$107,602|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$26,031
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Tree trimmers and pruners
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$63,714|$50,430
openings
7,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.3%
Firefighters
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,867
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,040|$59,530
openings
27,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.4%
Top executives
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$150,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$158,105|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,195
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$95,647|$74,100
openings
142,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
General and operations managers
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,530
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$110,000|$102,950
openings
308,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$86,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,310|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$1,180
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$46,146|$38,090
openings
158,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.