Location: Rangely, CO•In-State Tuition: $4,454•Out-of-State Tuition: $7,084
Median Earnings (1yr)
$38,698
95th percentile
Median Debt
$23,250
17% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.60 ManageableSample: 24 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Colorado Northwestern Community College's Natural Resources Conservation certificate graduates earn $38,698 in their first year—beating 95% of similar programs nationally and matching Colorado's state median. With debt at $23,250, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 is manageable, especially for a certificate program that gets students into the workforce quickly. The debt level is actually lower than the national median for this credential, meaning students here are borrowing less than peers at most competing programs while earning more.

The caveat: these figures come from a small graduating class, so individual outcomes can swing the averages significantly. Still, the pattern makes sense for rural Colorado—natural resources careers around Rangely (oil, gas, rangeland management) often pay decent wages without requiring a four-year degree. The quick turnaround from certificate to paycheck is the real advantage here compared to longer degree programs.

For students certain about a career path in natural resources and comfortable with the rural setting, this certificate delivers strong immediate earnings relative to modest debt. Just recognize you're looking at limited data points, and outcomes for your student could vary considerably from these medians.

Where Colorado Northwestern Community College Stands

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

Colorado Northwestern Community CollegeOther natural resources conservation and research programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Colorado Northwestern Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Colorado Northwestern Community College earns $39k — 95th percentile among natural resources conservation and research certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Natural Resources Conservation and Research certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Colorado Northwestern Community CollegeRangely$4,454$38,698—$23,2500.60
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe$12,051$38,514—$23,9570.62
Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton$4,879$36,873—$16,4710.45
Lackawanna CollegeScranton$17,950$31,301—$11,0240.35
National Median—$37,694—$19,8600.53

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 Colorado Northwestern Community College, approximately 18% 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 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.