Location: North Adams, MA•In-State Tuition: $11,884•Out-of-State Tuition: $20,559•Admission Rate: 92%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,767
Est. from MA median (16 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,000
Est. from MA median (5 programs)

Analysis

In Massachusetts, natural resources conservation programs show considerable variation in outcomes, and MCLA's program falls right at the state median based on comparable programs. The estimated $36,767 first-year earnings align precisely with what similar programs across Massachusetts typically produce, while the $25,000 debt burden sits just above the state's typical $24,456 for these degrees. That 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable—you're looking at debt roughly equal to eight months of gross income—though it's important to note these figures come from peer programs rather than MCLA's specific graduates.

The challenge is that even at the median, natural resources conservation degrees in Massachusetts start modestly. The $36,767 estimate is only slightly above the $33,988 national median for the field, and considerably below what graduates of programs at UMass-Lowell or Massachusetts Maritime might expect. With 40% of MCLA students receiving Pell grants, many families here are financing this education through loans, making that early earning power particularly relevant.

For a student committed to conservation work and planning to stay in the field long-term, this program offers a reasonable entry point without excessive debt. But if your child is uncertain about the career path or exploring this major for general interest, the limited earning potential relative to other STEM fields deserves serious consideration. The debt is serviceable, but there's not much cushion for career pivots or graduate school costs.

Where Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Stands

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

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (estimated ±10%)Other natural resources conservation and research programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Natural Resources Conservation and Research bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (37 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsNorth Adams$11,884$36,767*—$25,000*—
Bentley UniversityWaltham$58,150$68,600*—$27,000*0.39
Northeastern UniversityBoston$63,141$51,137*$50,604$23,430*0.46
Massachusetts Maritime AcademyBuzzards Bay$10,816$50,931*$64,846$26,000*0.51
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill$67,680$49,111*—$17,200*0.35
University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell$16,570$45,215*—$27,000*0.60
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 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, approximately 40% 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 16 similar programs in MA. Actual outcomes may vary.