Natural Resources at Colorado Northwestern Community College

Rangely, CO · Public · Certificate · Natural Resources Conservation and Research

with a smaller student body of 500 in Rangely, CO.

Program Analysis

At $38,698 per year, Natural Resources graduates from Colorado Northwestern Community College earn slightly above the $35,086 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 142.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Natural Resources programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 48% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Natural Resources graduates.

This program is one of 6 schools offering Natural Resources in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Five-year earnings of $67,802 show a 75% jump from the $38,698 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Natural Resources offers 6 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
64
Score
67
High End
Earnings $38,698/yr (10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$679K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
152.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,454
Out-of-state: $7,084
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,802
75% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Natural Resources graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830 +4.0% 52%
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary $87,710 +2.9% 48%
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health $80,060 +4.4% 47%
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
$100,830
+4.0% growth 52% AI-proof
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
$87,710
+2.9% growth 48% AI-proof
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
$80,060
+4.4% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

Natural Resources Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Natural Resources careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering agriculture & natural resources.

Read the full Natural Resources career guide →

Compare & Explore

Natural Resources Overview

Natural Resources at Other Schools

Other Majors at Colorado Northwestern Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Natural Resources at Colorado Northwestern Community College?
At 64/100, Colorado Northwestern Community College's Natural Resources program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Natural Resources at Colorado Northwestern Community College?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $404,866 in decade earnings vs $679,102 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why does Colorado Northwestern Community College rank so high for Natural Resources?
Ranked #1 of 6 programs nationally, Colorado Northwestern Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Natural Resources program at Colorado Northwestern Community College?
If Colorado Northwestern Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 6 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Natural Resources. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Natural Resources graduates?
At 55,700 annual openings, Natural Resources has a large employment base. Colorado Northwestern Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →