Location: Washington, DC•In-State Tuition: $56,543•Admission Rate: 47%•Avg SAT: 1392
Median Earnings (1yr)
$46,780
95th percentile
Median Debt
$26,905
17% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.58 ManageableSample: 24 graduates Limited data

Analysis

American University's natural resources program graduates earn $46,780 in their first year—substantially more than the national median of $34,000, placing it in the 95th percentile nationally. That sounds impressive until you zoom in to DC, where it actually trails the local median of $49,000 and lags behind George Washington's $51,200. This matters because many students choose American specifically for its Washington location and environmental policy connections.

The debt picture is genuinely strong: $26,905 is lower than both national and DC medians, resulting in a 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio that's quite manageable for an environmental field graduate. Students aren't overleveraging themselves for these outcomes, which provides important breathing room for the kind of nonprofit or public sector work common in this field.

However, the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. For a family banking on DC's environmental job market as the value proposition, these earnings suggest American provides solid access but not necessarily a premium compared to other DC options. The reasonable debt load is the real win, making this workable even if your student pursues mission-driven work at entry-level NGO salaries.

Where American University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all natural resources conservation and research bachelors's programs nationally

American UniversityOther natural resources conservation and research programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How American University graduates compare to all programs nationally

American University earns $47k — 95th percentile among natural resources conservation and research bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in District of Columbia

Natural Resources Conservation and Research bachelors's programs at peer institutions in District of Columbia (3 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
American UniversityWashington$56,543$46,780—$26,9050.58
George Washington UniversityWashington$64,990$51,201$60,690$19,5000.38
National Median—$33,988—$23,0100.68

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with natural resources conservation and research graduates

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Climate Change Policy Analysts

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Restoration Planners

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Ecologists

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Coroners

Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At American University, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 24 graduates with reported earnings and 29 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.