Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Iowa Lakes Community College

Graduates of the Natural Resources Conservation and Research program at Iowa Lakes Community College can expect a positive earnings trajectory over time. The median earnings one year after graduation stand at $26,742, which increases to $44,767 five years post-graduation and reaches $55,127 a decade later. When adjusted for purchasing power, the median five-year salary aligns with a national equivalent of $50,187.22, indicating that graduates can maintain a competitive standard of living despite the cost of living index in Iowa being slightly lower than the national average.

The primary industries that graduates enter include Health Care & Social Assistance, which accounts for a significant 43.4% of employment, followed by another 27.5% in the same sector, and 19.2% in Manufacturing. Given the estimated break-even point of approximately 16.7 years compared to a high-school-only path, the return on investment for pursuing this program appears favorable. This suggests that while the initial earnings may be modest, the long-term financial benefits and job stability in growing industries can justify the educational investment.