Location: Los Angeles, CA•In-State Tuition: $58,974•Admission Rate: 40%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,806
Est. from CA median (26 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$23,125
Est. from CA median (7 programs)

Analysis

A Bachelor's in Natural Resources Conservation from Loyola Marymount carries an estimated $23,125 in debt—higher than the state median of $17,278 for similar programs but close to the national benchmark. The first-year earnings estimate of $36,806, drawn from the median of 26 California programs, tracks with both state and national outcomes but falls well short of what top performers achieve. Berkeley grads in this field earn $47,338 their first year out, while Occidental hits nearly $50,000, suggesting that program quality and institutional network matter significantly in natural resources careers.

The 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in manageable territory—you're looking at debt roughly equal to seven months of gross income. However, that assumes the state median accurately reflects what LMU grads experience, which remains uncertain given the limited data. The broader picture for natural resources careers shows modest starting salaries regardless of school, making debt management crucial. At a selective private institution like LMU (40% acceptance rate, only 13% Pell students), families should question whether the premium cost delivers comparable outcomes to public alternatives like Berkeley or state schools with stronger reported earnings.

The takeaway: this program likely won't saddle your child with unmanageable debt, but without school-specific outcomes, you're betting that LMU's reputation translates to the higher end of California's range rather than the median used for these estimates.

Where Loyola Marymount University Stands

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

Loyola Marymount University (estimated ±10%)Other natural resources conservation and research programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Natural Resources Conservation and Research bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (52 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles$58,974$36,806*—$23,125*—
Occidental CollegeLos Angeles$63,446$49,529*$58,582—*—
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley$14,850$47,338*$72,049$12,988*0.27
University of RedlandsRedlands$57,614$46,164*$62,460$26,000*0.56
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario—$44,590*$46,315$44,087*0.99
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara$59,241$42,576*$58,140$23,250*0.55
National Median—$33,988*—$23,010*0.68
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Loyola Marymount 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 26 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.