Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degree) at Mount Mercy University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$34,999

Est. from IA median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$24,273

Est. from national median (80 programs)

Analysis

In Iowa, conservation and natural resources programs produce widely different outcomes—from Iowa State's $37,890 first-year earnings down to Upper Iowa's $34,347. Mount Mercy's program, based on comparable programs in the state, suggests earnings around $35,000, which falls right in the middle of this range and aligns closely with both state and national medians for this field.

The estimated $24,273 in debt is manageable relative to those projected earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio of 0.69—better than the rule-of-thumb threshold of 1.0 that signals potential repayment struggles. Similar programs in Iowa typically carry slightly less debt (around $22,239), but Mount Mercy's figure remains within reasonable bounds for a private institution. Conservation careers don't typically command high starting salaries, so keeping debt in this range matters more than in higher-earning fields.

The challenge is that we're working with estimates from peer programs rather than Mount Mercy's actual graduate outcomes. For a specialized field like conservation, individual program strengths—internship networks, specific environmental focus areas, or connections with Iowa's Department of Natural Resources—can significantly impact job placement. If your child is committed to conservation work, compare Mount Mercy's specific resources and Iowa connections against Iowa State's larger program, which shows $3,000 higher earnings but comes with a flagship university's structure and class sizes.

Where Mount Mercy University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Natural Resources Conservation and Research bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (18 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids	$39,070	$34,999*	—	$24,273*	—
Iowa State UniversityAmes	$10,497	$37,890*	$54,860	$22,227*	0.59
University of IowaIowa City	$10,964	$35,650*	$48,825	$24,000*	0.67
Upper Iowa UniversityFayette	$19,000	$34,347*	$47,573	$22,251*	0.65
Luther CollegeDecorah	$50,320	$19,239*	—	—*	—
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 Mount Mercy University, approximately 26% 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 4 similar programs in IA. Actual outcomes may vary.