Best Colleges for Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs prepare students to protect and manage our planet's ecosystems, forests, waterways, and wildlife. With 272 schools offering this major nationwide, graduates typically earn an average of $32,369 annually in roles spanning from park rangers to environmental consultants and research scientists.

When evaluating programs, students should prioritize hands-on fieldwork opportunities, access to research facilities, and partnerships with government agencies like the National Park Service or Forest Service. Strong programs feature faculty with active research projects, internship connections with conservation organizations, and coursework covering both scientific principles and policy applications. Look for schools with dedicated field stations, modern laboratories, and established relationships with employers in conservation careers.

Schools Ranked

$46,947

Avg. Program Earnings

73.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, Alabama	$62,260	37.2%	private-forprofit
2	Yale University New Haven, Connecticut	$60,161	96.3%	private-nonprofit
3	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$59,124	85.2%	public
4	University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, Maryland	$56,234	29.6%	public
5	California State University-East Bay Hayward, California	$52,107	45.5%	public
6	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	$52,107	50.9%	public
7	Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts	$50,231	79.1%	public
8	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$48,041	64.7%	public
9	Bucknell University Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	$48,041	86.2%	private-nonprofit
10	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$46,673	92.9%	public
11	Colgate University Hamilton, New York	$44,942	90.5%	private-nonprofit
12	Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$44,170	77.1%	private-nonprofit
13	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$43,798	54.1%	public
14	Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania	$43,798	92.4%	private-nonprofit
15	American Public University System Charles Town, West Virginia	$43,128	53.2%	private-forprofit
16	Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, Illinois	$42,682	82.5%	private-nonprofit
17	Middlebury College Middlebury, Vermont	$42,188	92.6%	private-nonprofit
18	University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, Nebraska	$42,123	47.5%	public
19	American University Washington, District of Columbia	$41,992	78.5%	private-nonprofit
20	Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts	$41,937	93.3%	private-nonprofit
21	Oakland University Rochester Hills, Michigan	$41,844	56.9%	public
22	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$41,565	92.7%	public
23	University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$41,565	78.0%	private-nonprofit
24	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$41,565	87.2%	public
25	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$41,406	85.1%	public