Location: Rohnert Park, CA•In-State Tuition: $8,190•Out-of-State Tuition: $20,070•Admission Rate: 95%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$40,759
83rd percentile
60th percentile in California
Median Debt
$15,856
31% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.39 ManageableSample: 53 graduates

Analysis

Sonoma State's Natural Resources Conservation program punches well above its weight for an open-access institution. Graduates earn $40,759 within a year—outpacing 83% of similar programs nationally—while carrying just $15,856 in debt. That's half the national median debt load for this field, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 that few environmental programs can match.

The earnings trajectory strengthens the case considerably. Starting salaries jump 35% to $55,166 by year four, suggesting graduates find solid footing in California's environmental sector. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile among California schools, this context matters: the state's top programs like UC Berkeley and Occidental command higher starting salaries, but they also serve very different student populations. For a school admitting 95% of applicants and serving many Pell Grant recipients, these outcomes represent genuine economic mobility.

The combination of low debt and strong earnings growth makes this program a practical choice for students interested in conservation careers. You're getting solid performance at a fraction of the debt burden typical for this field, with clear evidence that earnings improve substantially as graduates gain experience.

Where Sonoma State University Stands

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

Sonoma State UniversityOther natural resources conservation and research programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Sonoma State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Sonoma State University earns $41k — 83th percentile among natural resources conservation and research bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Sonoma State University$40,759$55,166+35%
University of California-Berkeley$47,338$72,049+52%
University of California-Los Angeles$31,944$69,142+116%
University of California-Davis$38,954$63,206+62%
University of Redlands$46,164$62,460+35%

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 DebtDebt/Earnings
Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park$8,190$40,759$55,166$15,8560.39
Occidental CollegeLos Angeles$63,446$49,529$58,582——
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley$14,850$47,338$72,049$12,9880.27
University of RedlandsRedlands$57,614$46,164$62,460$26,0000.56
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario—$44,590$46,315$44,0870.99
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara$59,241$42,576$58,140$23,2500.55
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 Sonoma State University, approximately 36% 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 53 graduates with reported earnings and 53 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.